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The New York Giants aren’t likely to exercise quarterback Daniel Jones’ fifth-year option this spring and that has led to speculation on whether or not they are souring on their former first-round pick.
What the Giants are expected to do however, is bring in competition this summer in the form of free agents (Mitchell Trubisky, Cam Newton have been rumored) and/or a possible high draft pick to challenge Jones, who has yet to convince the masses that he is a franchise quarterback.
One interesting option on the free agent market is — wait for it — Colin Kaepernick, who is said to be working out again and is in “the best shape of his life.”
Colin Kaepernick is still working out and is said to be, in the words of one source, “in the best shape of his life. He wants to play. He’s ready play. He would be a great fit for teams with QB vacancies to fill who want to win a Super Bowl.” https://t.co/VAXfKlZ6E4
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 10, 2022
It’s unlikely the Giants would entertain Kaepernick as an option, even as a backup, for several reasons.
The fan base would reject the idea. Even though it’s been five years since Kaepernick set off a maelstrom in the NFL (and the country) by kneeling during the National Anthem before games, his name will be eternally connected to the controversy.
Second, CEO John Mara wasn’t on board then and isn’t likely to have softened much to the idea over time.
“All my years being in the league, I never received more emotional mail from people than I did about that issue,” Mara said back in 2017. “If any of your players ever do that, we are never coming to another Giants game. It wasn’t one or two letters. It was a lot. It’s an emotional, emotional issue for a lot of people, more so than any other issue I’ve run into.”
The controversy would be the last thing this floundering franchise needs. They need to get back to basics, fly under the radar and turn their listing ship around. Kaepernick’s presence would be a major distraction on many fronts.
Then there’s the issue of rust. The 34-year-old Kaepernick may be in great shape but he’s been out of football since 2016. There’s shape and then there’s football shape. Plus, how would he react to being a backup? He clearly wants to be a starter or nothing.
Finally, the financial cost would be too high. Kaepernick is a businessman and won’t come cheap. He has turned down some lucrative offers in the past and isn’t likely to take a low-level deal simply to gat back into the league.
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