Stephen A. Smith understands why NFL teams would steer clear of Colin Kaepernick, even if Spike Lee doesn't. (1:51)

Film director Spike Lee has joined the Colin Kaepernick debate, suggesting Sunday in an Instagram post that one of his hometown teams -- the New York Jets -- should sign the unemployed quarterback.

"The New York J-E-T-S Need A Quarterback," wrote Lee, who said he spoke with Kaepernick over brunch. "Who Is The J-E-T-S Quarterback? Is My Man Joe Willie Namath Coming Back? Crazy Times We Live In."

Lee used his post to rail against the NFL for excluding Kaepernick, who ignited a firestorm last fall because he refused to stand for the national anthem as a way to protest social and racial issues.

Lee said it "Smells MAD Fishy To Me, Stinks To The High Heavens" that Kaepernick, who opted out of his San Francisco 49ers contract, still doesn't have a job.

A post shared by Spike Lee (@officialspikelee) on Mar 19, 2017 at 2:10pm PDT

It's no secret the Jets are looking for a veteran quarterback. They spent the weekend wining and dining journeyman Josh McCown, 37, who left Sunday without a contract. The two sides will continue to talk. The Jets also remain interested in Jay Cutler and perhaps others in what is considered a weak free-agent QB class.

From all indications, the Jets have no desire to sign Kaepernick, despite the fact that he is only 29 and has four postseason wins on his résumé.

Jets owner Woody Johnson is a prominent GOP supporter who raised millions for Donald Trump. Last September, when asked how he'd feel if one of his players refused to stand for the anthem, Johnson said, "That wouldn't be my first choice."

Kaepernick will stand for the national anthem during the 2017 season, sources have told ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter.

Kaepernick no longer wants his method of protest to detract from the positive change he believes has been created, sources said. The amount of national discussion on social inequality -- as well as support from other athletes nationwide, including NFL and NBA players -- affirmed the message he has tried to deliver.