The Detroit Lions are among the teams that could use some more depth under center in the form of Colin Kaepernick. It appears the new ownership would be open to the idea of bringing Kaepernick in and allowing him to use the platform to continue the fight against racial injustice in the United States.
Sheila Ford Hamp is set to replace her mother as the Lions' principal owner and chairwoman. According to Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk, Ford Hamp addressed her support for signing Kaepernick along with player protests in the 2020 NFL season:
New Lions principal owner Sheila Ford Hamp said today that if the Lions’ coaching staff and General Manager Bob Quinn want Kaepernick, ownership will support that decision. Hamp also said that if players kneel during the national anthem they’ll be supported by the organization, although she said she personally will not kneel.
Ford Hamp acknowledged that the NFL has changed its tune toward Kaepernick's efforts, via NFL Network's Judy Battista:
“The understanding is completely different now. Most people really understand what the kneeling was all about.” Says she would support bringing Kaepernick in if coaches thought was good idea.
Now that the Lions have received permission to sign Kaepernick from their top brass, the decision will ultimately come down to general Manager Bob Quinn and head coach Matt Patricia.
Given their struggles under center during the 2019 campaign following quarterback Matthew Stafford's season-ending injury, both Quinn and Patricia have good reason to look into it.
Detroit signed quarterback Chase Daniel to a three-year deal this offseason to be Stafford's backup. Meanwhile, second-year quarterback David Blough is still trying to find his footing after going 0-5 as a starter during his rookie year.
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