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The NFL is hurrying to put together a Saturday workout for free agent quarterback Colin Kaepernick, who ranks twenty-third in career passing rating in NFL history but hasn’t had a team in almost three years despite training five days a week to remain game-ready. Count New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton in the camp who isn’t interested in what Kaepernick has to offer.
“I won’t pay attention because it isn’t a need for us,” Payton said during his Thursday conference call with New Orleans media, hours before Saints practice. The Saints do have depth at quarterback that would envy any team around the league; Drew Brees is one of the greatest passers of all time, while Teddy Bridgewater proved to be a starting-quality fill-in during Brees’ absence. Taysom Hill rounds out the group as someone who has made strides early in his career.
However, that depth may be temporary. None of those three quarterbacks are under contract after this season, with Brees and Bridgewater both eligible for unrestricted free agency. Hill is designated as a restricted free agent, which is a little more complicated but doesn’t guarantee he’ll return.
Payton and the Saints would be wise to evaluate all available options, but in this case they’re hedging their bets that their quarterbacks depth chart should look much the same even after new contracts for Brees, Bridgewater, and Hill are drawn up.
Now, it doesn’t mean that the Saints won’t have someone in attendance to observe Kaepernick’s workout. Payton being disinterested doesn’t mean they won’t assign a scout or personnel executive to check in. Payton previously voiced support for Kaepernick’s ability to compete in the NFL despite a prolonged absence.
“It is a little surprising that he is still available, and I don’t think he will be available too long,” Payton said back in May 2017. “I think the key is the fit and the vision for a club offensively but I think there will be a team that has that vision and has an offense that builds around some of the things he does well.”
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