Colin Kaepernick writes letter to Jets asking for opportunity to ‘lead the

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick wrote a letter to New York Jets general manager Joe Douglas saying he “would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad,” according to a social post released Tuesday. Here’s what you need to know:

• The letter was released by rapper J. Cole on Instagram, with Kaepernick’s permission, and is dated Thursday, Sept. 21, 2023.
• In regards to leading the practice squad, Kaepernick said, “I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week.”
• Kaepernick continued, saying it would give the Jets’ starting defense “a truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks” they will face over their next three games in Patrick Mahomes, Russell Wilson and Jalen Hurts.
• The Jets have struggled since losing QB Aaron Rodgers, 39, to a season-ending Achilles tear early in the first game of the regular season.

Kaepernick’s full letter

Joe,

I hope this letter finds you in great spirits, despite the less-than-ideal start to a big season,” he said in the letter. “I’m wishing you, your staff, and the players a great game this weekend as you look to bounce back.

I’m writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track. As of right now, Zach Wilson is charged with that task, and I wish him and the rest of the team the best moving forward.

However, I know that there are currently depth issues at the position, and I’ve heard that the back-up spot is likely to be filled by a veteran Quarterback. As much as I would love the opportunity to fill that spot, I’m writing you in hopes that you can imagine a much different approach involving me; I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad. I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week. If I were able to fill this role for the team, I believe this allows for multiple things.

1. It gives your Defense the advantage of getting a truer read on the more mobile/athletic/versatile quarterbacks it will face when in weeks 4, 5 and 6 (Mahomes, Wilson, and Hurts). I would consider it a privilege to be able to do this and would take on this responsibility with the dedication and passion as if it were the QB1 position.

2. This would also allow you guys as an organization to take a real look at where I’m at football wise, in game-like situations against an elite defense, while also not putting any competitive pressure on Zach. I understand the importance of keeping him confident and focused as QB1, and I would only look to boost that confidence in any interactions that we may have if I was given this role within the team.

In a perfect world for the Jets, Zach…