It appears that the ostracized, former quarterback of the San Fransisco 49ers, Colin Kaepernick, still has the desire to play football, despite being essentially blackballed by the NFL. However, the desire comes at quite the hefty price tag, at least according to what Kaepernick thinks of his self-worth and overall ability.
It was recently reported that the newly formed XFL, which just began its first week of football following the Super Bowl, offered a contract to Kaepernick, which ultimately was declined by the former player and his representation.
With the XFL trying to make a splash in its debut season, they, no doubt, want to get some of the bigger names in the game, even if that means players who are currently no longer in the NFL. It was definitely worth a try for the league to get Kaepernick, but the two parties were way too far apart for an agreement to happen between them.
The XFL does not have anywhere close to the cap space that the NFL does, leaving most of the players to make approximately $50,000, along with some incentive bonuses for things such as game activation and playoff appearance.
Football reimagined, listening to the fans! RT @BrennanCGreen: If it’s all about just playing football, why isn’t Kaeperbick playing in the XFL? #Football #XFL2020 #XFL #Kaepernick #NFL
— Sebastian (@FSebby8991) February 17, 2020
Still, despite knowing the XFL’s player payment model, Kaepernick was demanding much more for his services. According to a source, Kaepernick and the league commissioner, Oliver Luck did meet.
“According to the XFL commissioner Oliver Luck, the pair had met prior to the season to discuss possible opportunities to play this season,” they said. Again, the two parties couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract. Luck did release a statement on their meeting, though.
“We gave it some thought,” Luck shared. “We have some pretty significant salary restrictions, you know. We’re a start-up league, so we want to make sure that we can be fiscally responsible and fiscally prudent.”
The XFL didn't sign @Kaepernick7 because his salary requirements were "exorbitant," says Commissioner @OliverLuckXFL https://t.co/sOsPnIl4uG
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) February 10, 2020
Luck went on to share, although he didn’t name any names, that certain players were asking for ‘exorbitant’ salary requirements. One doesn’t have to be a genius to read between the lines in knowing that Luck was referring to Kaepernick.
“And the, you know, salary requirements that some folks, you know, shared with us were in our case exorbitant, so we, you know, couldn’t go down that path,” Luck concluded in his statement. And unfortunately, this may be the end of Kaepernick’s football career as no other opportunities are available besides the CFL and Arena Football League, which don’t seem likely destinations for Kaepernick.
Although Kaepernick was ultimately cut from the San Fransisco 49ers after leading them to a Super Bowl appearance for his role in protesting police brutality against African-Americans, he was given another shot at the end of last year.
It was an open try-out of sorts, where multiple teams provided scouts to see if the former quarterback still had the talent. The scheduled workout turned into a fiasco and publicity stunt, all but ending Kaepernick’s return to the NFL and likely, his chance to play football again.
