The New York Jets signed veteran quarterback Trevor Siemian to the observe squad Tuesday, giving them an skilled, if unspectacular, backup to embattled starter Zach Wilson. Because the crew introduced the information, it emerged that Colin Kaepernick had written a letter asking to be a part of the crew.
The Jets introduced the transfer for Siemian after the 31-year-old handed a bodily on the Jets’ observe facility. Wilson has struggled badly since taking on for Aaron Rodgers, who tore his left achilles tendon 4 snaps into his debut with New York.
Information of Kaepernick’s letter got here after rapper J Cole shared the document on Instagram on Tuesday. He stated he had obtained permission from the previous San Francisco 49ers quarterback. Kaepernick final performed within the NFL throughout the 2016 season, when he knelt throughout the nationwide anthem to protest police brutality and social injustice. He has not performed within the league after leaving the San Francisco 49ers on the finish of that season, and groups are accused of blackballing him as a consequence of his political opinions. The 35-year-old has stated prior to now that he can be prepared to behave as a backup if he does return to the league.
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Within the letter, which is dated 21 September, Kaepernick says he wouldn’t attempt to substitute Wilson as starter, however can be a part of the observe squad, serving to the crew put together for recreation.
“This might additionally permit you guys as a company to take an actual take a look at the place I’m at soccer smart, in game-like conditions in opposition to an elite protection, whereas additionally not placing any aggressive strain on Zach,” he wrote within the letter. “I perceive the significance of conserving him assured and targeted as QB1, and I might solely look to spice up that confidence in any interactions that we could have if I used to be given this position throughout the crew.”
Nevertheless, Kaepernick additionally stated he can be prepared to step in if wanted.
“I’m positive of my skill to give you an elite QB possibility if, God forbid, QB1 goes down,” he wrote.
It’s extremely unlikely the Jets would flip to Kaepernick. He’ll flip 36 in November, hasn’t performed professionally in practically seven years and is unfamiliar with the Jets’ playbook. The Jets have additionally grow to be talkshow fodder since Rodgers’ damage and are unlikely to need the added off-field consideration that will come by signing Kaepernick.
After the Jets’ 15-10 loss to the New England Patriots on Sunday dropped them to 1-2, coach Robert Saleh insisted the crew was sticking with Wilson as their beginning quarteback as a result of “proper now, he’s who offers us the very best probability to win.”
That didn’t sit properly with followers – together with Corridor of Famer Joe Namath, who stated throughout an interview on The Michael Kay Show on 98.7 ESPN New York on Monday that “I’ve seen sufficient of Zach Wilson.”
Throughout his weekly look on The Pat McAfee Present on Tuesday, Rodgers stated the Jets “want to carry our poise,” referring to sideline blowups between some gamers and coaches throughout the recreation on Sunday.
Rodgers reiterated he more than likely received’t return to the Jets’ facility till he can stroll, however stated he misses being round his teammates and coaches and the time away has confirmed his want to proceed taking part in.
“I really feel like if I used to be there, a few of these issues wouldn’t be taking place,” Rodgers stated. “Undecided we’d be 3-0, I don’t know. I’d prefer to suppose there’s a chance of that. It’s extra the facet stuff that I don’t like. I need to see us stick collectively by way of the powerful occasions.”
For now, Siemian a minimum of offers Saleh and the Jets an alternative choice if Wilson continues to falter, starting with their subsequent recreation on Sunday night time at house in opposition to the reigning Tremendous Bowl champions, the Kansas Metropolis Chiefs. Profession backup Tim Boyle was the one different quarterback on New York’s roster.
That is Siemian’s second stint with the Jets after he was with them in 2019. He made one begin for New York when Sam Darnold was sidelined with mononucleosis, however suffered a season-ending ankle damage in opposition to Cleveland in September.
Siemian was a seventh-round choose of Denver out of Northwestern in 2015 and was a backup to Peyton Manning throughout the crew’s Tremendous Bowl run. He began 24 video games over three seasons with the Broncos earlier than being traded to Minnesota in 2018.
After being injured a lot of the subsequent season with the Jets, Siemian had stints with Tennessee, New Orleans, Chicago and was amongst Cincinnati’s cuts after coaching camp this summer time. He began one recreation for the Bears final season – in opposition to the Jets rather than an injured Justin Fields. Siemian was 14 of 25 for 179 yards and a landing with an interception in Chicago’s 31-10 loss.
Siemian has thrown for 7,027 yards and 42 touchdowns with 28 interceptions throughout his NFL profession. He’s additionally 13-17 as a starter. This season, Wilson has two landing passes and 4 interceptions with a 52.4% completion price and is averaging simply 5.6 yards per go.
