The Las Vegas Raiders will work out Colin Kaepernick on Wednesday, giving the free-agent quarterback his first professional tryout in years.
Kaepernick, known for protesting racial injustice by kneeling during the national anthem, has not played in the NFL since 2016. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback filed a grievance against the league, accusing the owners of blackballing him because of his political beliefs. That case was settled in 2019, and Kaepernick has remained open about still wanting to play football.
The tryout comes on the same day a Nevada judge denied the NFL’s motion to force former Raiders coach Jon Gruden’s lawsuit into arbitration. The judge also denied a motion to dismiss. Gruden sued the NFL in November shortly after his firing over leaked emails that showed the former coach using disparaging and offensive language when a commentator at ESPN years earlier.
The Raiders have Derek Carr as their starter, but backup Marcus Mariota left for the Atlanta Falcons this offseason. The team has since added Nick Mullens and Jarrett Stidham, the latter of whom they acquired from the New England Patriots earlier this month.
Since exiting the NFL, Kaepernick has received little interest from NFL teams. He was linked to the Baltimore Ravens and Seattle Seahawks, though both teams ultimately decided not to sign him. Kaepernick has periodically held open workouts for teams to showcase his skills for NFL teams.
If Kaepernick signs with the Raiders, it would be somewhat of a homecoming as Kaepernick went to the University of Nevada for college.
Kaepernick is now 34. He spent six seasons with the 49ers, leading them to the Super Bowl during the 2012 season.
ESPN first reported news about Kaepernick’s tryout. The NFL Network reported the workout will take place Wednesday.
• Matthew Paras can be reached at mparas@washingtontimes.com.
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