If Detroit Lions sign Colin Kaepernick, they would be taking a chance, and making a stance

Shawn Windsor | Detroit Free Press

Show Caption Hide Caption Colin Kaepernick, Detroit Lions' QB depth: Sports writers chat Detroit Free Press sports writers Dave Birkett and Carlos Monarrez discuss news on Colin Kaepernick, Detroit Lions' depth at QB on Nov. 13, 2019.

The NFL has invited Colin Kaepernick to work out this Saturday in Atlanta before any team that wishes to send a general manager (not likely), a head coach (not a chance), or a scout (there you go).

And if the timing of the league’s offer seems curious, it is.

Detroit Lions coach Matt Patricia said Wednesday that the organization will send a team representative to the workout and do its “due diligence on all players that are available. I know that Bob (Quinn) and his staff will have someone down there to watch the workout and we’ll see where it goes.”

Likely nowhere, as it’s hard to imagine the franchise wanting to sign a player who made news on as many front pages as he did sports pages. This is an organization, after all, that barely tolerates cornerback Darius Slay because he isn’t afraid to speak his mind.

Kaepernick, who turned 32 earlier this month and played quarterback for the San Francisco 49ers for six seasons, hasn’t taken a snap of professional football since Jan. 1, 2017. The NFL effectively banned him after a considerable portion of its fan base took issue with him kneeling during the national anthem to call attention to social injustice.

Rating the chances: Lions listed in 'perhaps' category when it comes to Kaepernick

So, why the offer now?

Public relations. How else do you explain giving Kaepernick three measly days to prepare? Or that the league reached out to reporters to sell the event as soon as it reached out to Kaepernick’s representatives?

Carolina Panthers safety Eric Reid, who has also used his platform to raise awareness of social justice issues, called the move a PR stunt, and questioned the seriousness of a workout when teams' top decision makers aren’t likely to attend.

This isn’t like the pre-draft combine or even a personal workout teams hold at their headquarters, where several layers of a franchise’s football hierarchy are present. Remember what Patricia said about the Lions’ intentions, “Bob (Quinn) and his staff will have someone down there to watch …"

Someone.

Kaepernick has made it clear he wants to play. Based on his performance during his final season in San Francisco – 2,241 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, 90.7 passer rating in 12 games – he was surely good enough.

Whether he is still good enough three years later is a fair question. Thus, the workouts. If they are for real.

The NFL swears the workout this Saturday is legitimate and pushed back Wednesday afternoon that it had set in motion a deceptive narrative. And that if Kaepernick shows enough, he will get real consideration.

More: NFLPA's DeMaurice Smith expects Colin Kaepernick to be signed

If that’s true, and he does, the Lions should consider signing him and take a chance. And a stance.

For one thing, they could use another quarterback. Matthew Stafford is recovering from a fractured back.

For another, the buttoned-down, do-your-job-quietly approach isn’t exactly working. Besides, whatever you think about Kaepernick’s kneeling, you’ll never hear that he wasn’t an exemplary teammate and player in the locker room. In that way, his personality would fit the Lions perfectly.

NFL owners are a largely conservative (with a lowercase “c”) lot. And it’s hard to fathom that even now, three years removed from Kaepernick’s kneeling, many of them are ready to welcome a player who alienated many of its customers.

The Lions, under Quinn and Patricia’s leadership, have shown a distaste for any hint of dissent. It’s the Patriot Way.

Still, if the NFL is sincere in its willingness to give Kaepernick another shot, why not the Lions? Yes, it would force a few conversations and the national media would descend upon Detroit for a few weeks. But then this wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world in these times, either.

Kaepernick tweeted Tuesday afternoon that he has been “in shape and ready for this for 3 years, (and) can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday.”

I’m just getting word from my representatives that the NFL league office reached out to them about a workout in Atlanta on Saturday. I’ve been in shape and ready for this for 3 years, can’t wait to see the head coaches and GMs on Saturday. — Colin Kaepernick (@Kaepernick7) November 13, 2019

By Wednesday evening, some half million folks had seen it, and nearly 20,000 had posted comments on his timeline. One of them came from a soldier in Kansas City, who wished Kaepernick luck, admitted that he’d hated him for a while after the kneeling, but told him he’d had a change of heart.

“I was blind,” Graham N., wrote, “but I see what you mean and I served for what you stand for. God Bless brotha. You deserve a spot.”

His response went viral.

This was extremely refreshing to read. Much love @graham_N12 pic.twitter.com/BT0UXxCIv1 — Drewhammad Ali (@MarkDrewHTX) November 13, 2019

Kaepernick may or may not deserve a spot. But he deserves the chance to earn a spot. That’s always been the point.

The NFL has the right to protect its business if it fears losing customers. It also has an opportunity to open a meaningful conversation … if this weekend isn’t a sham. For even in this simmering world, change of perspective remains possible.

As Graham N., also noted in a follow-up tweet:

“I felt disrespected by people kneeling (because) I felt as if they didn’t support me and the people I served with. That means alot (sic) to me, and so does the national anthem BUT I am also white. Black people are treated differently and that flag doesn’t represent freedom for whites(cont) …

"It represents freedom for ALL.”