Colin Kaepernick has been out of the NFL since the end of 2016, but if it were up to Atlanta Falcons quarterback Matt Ryan, Kaepernick would have a place somewhere in the league.
Speaking on Kaepernick on Tuesday, Ryan said that the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback “should have every opportunity to be back in the league,” according to Kelsey Conway of the Atlanta Falcons' team website.
Kaepernick, who played his collegiate football at the University of Nevada, was originally selected by the 49ers in the second round (36th pick overall) of the 2011 NFL Draft.
He spent his rookie campaign playing behind Alex Smith, but the following year, he supplanted Smith as the starter midway through the season and proceeded to lead San Francisco to a Super Bowl appearance.
In 13 games and seven starts that year, Colin Kaepernick threw for 1,814 yards, 10 touchdowns and three interceptions while completing 62.4 percent of his passes and posting a passer rating of 98.3.
The 32-year-old maintained his role as the Niners' starter through 2014, but halfway through 2015, Kaepernick lost his job due to shaky performance.
Then, in 2016, Kaepernick created controversy when he made the decision to kneel during the national anthem before games to protest social injustice and police brutality.
Kaepernick ended up appearing in 12 contests and making 11 starts for the 49ers that season, throwing for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns and four picks while completing 59.2 percent of his passes and registering a passer rating of 90.7.
That was the last time Kaepernick played in the NFL, and the general consensus is that the Milwaukee native has been blackballed by the league.
Follow Us
Subscribe