Colin Kaepernick‘s free agent status has one definable theory that most could agree on. However, one NFL GM believes that Kaep’s level of maturity, not the protests or level of play, are the reasons why teams are not adding him to their rosters despite glaring needs.
Sporting News reports:
The anonymous NFL GM, however, claims the media circus created by Kaepernick’s actions and the way he has handled it are the reasons.
“I have no comment on his views or convictions,” the GM said. “Those are his own and I don’t think a team would sign him or not sign him solely over those actions. My caution — and I think it is echoed by nearly everyone I’ve talked to — is that he’s become a distraction. At this point, the way he’s handled it, the way he’s tweeting and all that garbage, it doesn’t help.”
Kaepernick last season threw for more than 2,200 yards and 16 passing touchdowns with four interceptions in the 12 games he played. The QB’s ability, though, was not a factor when the GM’s team decided not to sign Kaepernick.
“The kid is talented enough to play in this league. He is a Super Bowl quarterback for a reason. But it’s the handling of the situation,” the GM explained. “It makes you pause. Kap has made some bad judgments in the past. You look at this, how he’s embraced the firestorm around him. He’s become a distraction in a place where winning is foremost. It is an issue of mentality, personality. I think it boils down to maturity.
While the GM’s claim seems ludicrous on its surface, NFL locker rooms have a sensitive ecosystem of egos and attitudes to maintain and a politicized issue like Kaepernick’s stance against police shootings and the like could divide teams.
However, most players agree that Kaepernick’s politics and actions have nothing to do with their views or preparation, so this again seems like a sidestepping of actually stating flat out that teams want nothing to do with the possible loss of fan support.
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Photo: screen cap
