Colin Kaepernick is set to work out in front of NFL teams in Atlanta on Saturday, and details about the event continue to trickle out. It turns out Kaepernick won’t be the only familiar face in attendance, as there will also be a Hue Jackson sighting.
Jackson, who was fired as the head coach of the Cleveland Browns last year, has agreed to lead the drills for Kaepernick’s workout, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports. Video of the workout will then be sent to the head coaches and general managers of all 32 teams, and at least 11 teams are expected to have representatives in attendance.
Former #Browns coach Hue Jackson will lead the drills during Colin Kaepernick’s workout, source said. Joe Philbin will also be in attendance. 11 teams have already committed to attend. With two days remaining until the workout, the league expects additional teams to commit.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2019
More on the workout for Colin Kaepernick: Video of the workout will be sent to all 32 teams, including head coaches and GMs. Expect the majority of teams to end up sending a scout. https://t.co/eKatM4f8dD
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 14, 2019
The NFL later confirmed that Jackson will be running the drills and revealed which 11 teams had committed as of Thursday evening. The New England Patriots, Denver Broncos and Cleveland Browns are among them.
— NFL345 (@NFL345) November 14, 2019
There had been some speculation that Kaepernick could back out of the event altogether, but it does not sound like that is going to happen. Even if he and his representatives are unhappy that the workout is being held on short notice and on a Saturday, it still gives the free agent a chance to show off his skills if he is committed to playing in the NFL again in the future.
Kaepernick’s representatives reportedly asked for a list of which teams will attend when the NFL reached out about the workout earlier in the week, and the league is said to have agreed but later gone back on that. Kaepernick’s camp says the NFL promised a list would be provided, though league officials have denied that.
Coaches would not be expected to attend the workout as they are preparing for Sunday games, while many high-level executives probably had plans to do scouting at college games on Saturday. Still, teams have enough scouting employees where they would be able to send one to attend the workout.
Kaepernick may feel that the NFL put the workout together as a PR stunt, but it’s a chance to audition nonetheless. If teams weren’t calling him for workouts before and he is serious about continuing his playing career, he should try to capitalize on the opportunity.
