Detroit Lions need to sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick

The Detroit Lions should sign quarterback Colin Kaepernick to backup Matthew Stafford.

It’s comical to think that the Detroit Lions haven’t had a capable backup quarterback since the Shaun Hill days, but here we are entering the 2020 season.  Last season the Detroit Lions were stricken with various injuries but none more devastating than losing quarterback Matthew Stafford for the second half of the season.

It seems odd that we’ve seen plenty of regimes come and go, yet Stafford hasn’t seen any pressure put on him from a backup quarterback throughout his entire career.

It’s unfathomable to think that Detroit’s plan B in 2019 started with Tom Savage and ended with David Blough with a laundry list of quarterbacks in between.  Our worst nightmare became a reality when Stafford was forced to be shut down after making just eight starts in ’19 with a reoccurring back injury that hampered the quarterback a year earlier.

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Recently the Detroit Lions rushed to pay long-time journeyman backup Chase Daniel to a three-year deal to serve as Stafford’s primary backup.  Sure, he’s an upgrade, but Daniel is anything but a premier backup at this point in his career.

Daniel is soon to be 34-years old, and a reliable backup that will jive well with Stafford in the quarterback room.  The pair will probably bond well, and it’s great to have someone to help read coverages and tendencies while watching the film rather than having a couple of inexperienced quarterbacks with minimal assistance at Stafford’s disposal.

Daniel will be much more beneficial to the Detroit Lions on the sideline and behind the scenes than he would on the football field.

That being said, it would be in the Detroit Lions’ best interest to consider carrying three quarterbacks entering the 2020 regular season, and why not take a flier on Colin Kaepernick?

With the recent injury history of Stafford along with the chance of anyone at any time contracting COVID-19, it may be a year many teams carry an extra quarterback on their active roster.

Last season the New Orleans Saints turned to Teddy Bridgewater after Drew Brees suffered an injury.  Bridgewater guided the Saints to a 5-0 record during that span.  The Detroit Lions need a backup with a higher ceiling than Daniel provides, so why not a quarterback with some Super Bowl experience?

Sure, Kaepernick will have plenty of rust to shake off after being out of the game so long, but he’s just 32 years old, and it’s a young 32 having not much wear and tear taking its toll on his body in recent years.

Another option would be Cam Newton, but his injury history becomes a significant concern; he’s suffered a plethora of wear and tear throughout his career.  Plus, Newton isn’t prepared to settle in a backup role.  The former MVP expects to be a starter.

By adding Kaepernick, the Lions can still carry Daniel as the teams’ QB3 and place David Blough on the practice squad. Detroit will receive the benefit of having Daniel in the film room and Colin ready once he’s back in game shape to enter the ball game if an injury occurs to Stafford.

The Detroit Lions should have signed Kaepernick last summer instead of Tom Savage, David Fales, Josh Johnson, and Jeff Driskel.  Bob Quinn has an opportunity to give the quarterback a chance he’s deserved by bringing him back into the league after he’s been clearly forced out by the NFL and its team owners.

It’s foolish to think Kaepernick can’t serve as an NFL QB2.  He’s a career 60% passer; he’s tossed for 72 touchdowns and just 30 interceptions.  He’s not perfect.  He struggled with touch passes and often thrown a fastball that short hops its intended target, but he’d be a significant upgrade to what we’ve been used to over the last few years.

Kaepernick has produced a respectable 89% career quarterback rating, and his dual-threat style is something the teams’ offensive coordinator Darrell Bevell welcomes after having plenty of success with Russell Wilson during his time coaching in Seattle.

Kaepernick has amassed 2300 rushing yards and scored 13 rushing touchdowns during his career.

Suddenly the NFL needs Kaepernick more than he needs the league with everything currently going on in the country.  Commissioner Roger Goodell recently admitted he was wrong with his stance on the situation years ago.  Goodell came out yesterday and expressed he hoped someone signs Kaepernick but is it too late?