NFL Rumors: Colin Kaepernick Could Be Just A 'Physical' Away From Football Return

Colin Kaepernick's dream of making an NFL return could be within reach, with reports saying that multiple teams are ready to give the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback a workout. The 32-year-old has not played an NFL game since 2016 but has kept himself in shape through the years in case a team gives him a call.

That opportunity could be nearing, although he faces one obstacle. According to NFL Network reporter Michael Silver, one head coach is interested in giving Kaepernick a chance but wants to see him work out first. With the COVID-19 pandemic standing in the way, that is the only thing that is depriving the 36th pick of the 2011 NFL Draft of a chance to prove that he can still play competitive football.

Silver added that Kaepernick is now technically in the same situation that Cam Newton and Jadeveon Clowney are in. Though the two-time WAC Offensive Player of the Year made public his sessions last year, teams want to see Kaepernick work out in front of them before giving him a new contract. Kaepernick has yet to respond to these reports but is expected to answer the call once teams are cleared to physically work out at team facilities.

Hence, the question now is when NFL teams can start hosting tryouts for free agents. Training camp was originally pegged to start on July 28, but the COVID-19 situation could alter those plans.

Due to this, Kaepernick and NFL teams would just have to wait and see when it would be safe for them to physically train to figure out who to sign or pass on.

The development should be good news for Kaepernick, who got some unexpected backing from NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell just over a week ago. According to a previous report, Goodell encouraged teams to consider signing Kaepernick not long after Black Lives Matter protests cropped up in connection with George Floyd's death at the hands of police.

Goodell admitted in an Instagram post that they were wrong when they did not listen to NFL players who were speaking up on racial injustice.

For those who may not be aware, there is a growing belief that Kaepernick was blackballed out of the NFL following his celebrated knee protests against police brutality and racial inequality. The last team that came near to signing Kaepernick was the Seattle Seahawks, but nothing prospered. It was not mentioned if Seahawks is one of the teams currently interested in signing Kaepernick.