Seahawks’ Pete Carroll: Colin Kaepernick Reached out to Me; QB Deserves 2nd Chance

AP Photo/Chris Pizzello

Seattle Seahawks coach Pete Carroll said Colin Kaepernick has been in contact with him regarding a return to the NFL.

“Does that guy deserve a second shot? I think he does,” Carroll told reporters Wednesday. “I don’t know if it’s here or somewhere else. It’s second-chance time.”

Kaepernick, who has not played in the NFL since the 2016 season, recently worked out with Seahawks wide receiver Tyler Lockett. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback has maintained a desire to resume his NFL career but has been unsigned following his protests during the national anthem during the 2016 season. 

If Carroll feels so strongly about Kaepernick deserving a second chance, there may be no better fit for him than Seattle. The Seahawks just jettisoned their franchise quarterback to Denver, getting Drew Lock back as a potential replacement. 

Lock has done nothing in his three NFL seasons to look the part of a starting quarterback. In fact, he was one of the worst starting quarterbacks in football when given the opportunity in 2020 and was replaced by a middling Teddy Bridgewater last season. Unless Carroll sees something in Lock that hasn’t been apparent on film, the Seahawks have a glaring hole at the quarterback spot.

There is no telling how Kaepernick would look against NFL speed after a nearly six-year absence. At the time of his NFL exit, he was an average or slightly below-average NFL starting quarterback. Athletes typically don’t get better by not playing their chosen profession for more than a half-decade. 

Kaepernick could easily sign a one-year, incentive-laden deal to come into camp and compete with Lock. It would arguably be hypocritical of Carroll to be so publicly positive about Kaepernick and not sign him. This isn’t the first time Carroll has praised Kaep, either. When Carroll previously chose not to move forward with signing Kaepernick, it was understandable with Russell Wilson in the picture.

Wilson’s gone. Lock’s probably not the long-term answer. Kaepernick has a good relationship with Lockett.

If Carroll really think it’s time for a “second chance,” he should stop paying lip service and offer it.