The Seattle Seahawks will start Russell Wilson at QB for as long as they can, but that doesn't mean quarterback is not a need. Wilson is the unquestioned starter and future, but depth is an issue. Only Trevone Boykin, an undrafted free agent last year, is on the roster right now. That's not going to get the job done, so the Seahawks should look for a new backup QB. Colin Kaepernick is a perfect fit for that role. In fact, head coach Pete Carroll says Kaepernick is one of the quarterbacks they are considering signing before training camp.
This isn't to say the Seahawks will sign Kaepernick, but rather they should. For all his flaws, Kaepernick still has some of that ability that made it seem like he was the 49ers' future. There's some assumption here, namely that there's mutual interest between Seahawks and Kaepernick and that the contract wouldn't be too expensive (Kaepernick's asking price right now is too high). But, with that in mind, here are 3 reasons why the Seahawks should sign Colin Kaepernick.
Fits The System
Take a look at the three QBs the Seahawks have started or had as the top backup in the past few years: Russell Wilson, Tarvaris Jackson and Trevone Boykin. All three are mobile quarterbacks, which is a must given the Seahawks' shaky offensive line. Kaepernick would need some time to learn the offense, but he has the skill set the Seahawks seem to target at QB.
Upgrade Behind Wilson
Russell Wilson took a beating last year, playing through a few different injuries. The reality of the NFL (and the Seahawks' OL) is that Wilson will continue to take hits that could lead to injuries. And if Wilson does go down, the Seahawks would turn to second year QB Trevone Boykin, who played sparingly last year. There's some upside with Boykin, but he is still raw and didn't play a ton. He's also coming off another arrest. Long story short, Boykin is not a quality NFL backup. Kaepernick might not be starting material, but he's worth adding as a backup. Despite playing for a terrible 49ers team devoid of weapons, Kaepernick did throw for 16 TDs and only four picks. Kaepernick won't be expected to carry the team in the same way Wilson does, but he'd be a better spot-gap starter in the event Wilson goes down than Boykin.
He's Not A Locker Room Distraction
Listen to fans on Twitter and alleged NFL executives and they'll tell you Kaepernick is unsigned because he hates America and hate him for kneeling during the National Anthem. Or maybe it's because he's a vegan. All of these so-called excuses are ridiculous and not accurate. Despite drawing the ire of some for kneeling, it wasn't an issue for the 49ers. After all, he won the team's award for inspirational and courageous play. Several players around the league have come out in support of Kaepernick. It also won't be an issue for the Seahawks, given that several of the team's leaders took similar stands. The kneeling stuff is completely a fan/media driven narrative. Kaepernick is unsigned because both he (and other QBs like Jay Cutler and Robert Griffin III) wants to start and get paid like a starter. No team is going to sign Kaepernick until his price does and he accepts that he'll be a backup. Once that happens, Kaepernick will be signed and the Seahawks should have interest.
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