Head coach Zac Taylor wouldn't say if the 0-9 Bengals would send a representative to Colin Kaepernick's workout Saturday, but who needs a quarterback more than the Bengals?
It could be Mike Brown has soured on Kaepernick since he once considered taking the QB out of Nevada ahead of Andy Dalton in the 2011 draft. But the Bengals ended up taking Dalton with the third pick in the second round, and the 49ers traded up to take Kaepernick with the next pick.
Taylor didn’t want to say whether scouts will be at Colin Kaepernick’s workout but said he is confident in how that department evaluates anyone available. #Bengals
— Laurel Pfahler (@LaurelPfahler) November 13, 2019
Now Dalton has been benched for rookie Ryan Finley, the Bengals are desperate, and the NFL has apparently decided to welcome Kaepernick back into the league, holding a workout just for him more than two years after he offended President Trump and many fans by kneeling during the National Anthem. Kaepernick said he did it to protest what he saw as inequality and police brutality in America.
I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.
— Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) November 13, 2019
At least seven NFL teams - including the Patriots and Cowboys - have indicated they're going to Kaepernick's workout in Atlanta. That also includes the Redskins and Giants, who drafted QBs in the first round this year.
As for the Bengals, there's no rush. At the rate they're going, they can just lose out and take LSU's Joe Burrow or Alabama's Tua Tagovailoa with the No. 1 draft pick in 2020.
ESPN reported that it obtained a memo from the league to its 32 teams informing them of the workout. It stated:
"Earlier this year, we discussed some possible steps with his representatives and they recently emphasized his level of preparation and that he is ready to work out for clubs and be interviewed by them. We have therefore arranged this opportunity for him to work out, and for all clubs to have the opportunity to evaluate his current readiness and level of interest in resuming his NFL career."
While Kaepernick has tried to make his way back into the NFL, he has been without a job since his contract with the 49ers expired at the end of 2016.
Kaepernick's inability to sign a new contract led him to sue the league for collusion. Kaepernick and the NFL reached an agreement earlier this year.
Details on Colin Kaepernick’s Saturday workout at the #Falcons facility that has the feel of a Combine:
— It begins at 3 pm
— Interview is at 3:15 pm
— Measurements, stretching & warmups are next.
— Timing & testing at 3:50 pm
— QB drills at 4:15
All parts recorded for 32 teams.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 13, 2019
