From Jay-Z's involvement to Roger Goodell's actions: How Colin Kaepernick's NFL workout materialized and what's next

Mike Jones | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Here's how Colin Kaepernick should view this "new" opportunity with NFL SportsPulse: While it's long overdue, it appears the NFL has opened the door for Colin Kaepernick to get back in the league. Jarrett Bell offers advice on how Kaepernick should view this opportunity.

The NFL's orchestration of a workout for exiled quarterback Colin Kaepernick in Atlanta on Saturday stemmed from private discussions, a decision made at the highest level of leadership and with the exclusion of many of commissioner Roger Goodell’s usual advisers, multiple people familiar with the event told USA TODAY Sports. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the matter.

Tuesday’s news of the workout surprised members of the league offices, as well as team personnel departments and players.

The development and the parameters of the combine-style workout for Kaepernick — who has remained unsigned since the end of the 2016 season following his decision to protest police brutality and social injustices for people of color during the national anthem — appear rushed.

Goodell, however, has engaged in talks on the matter for some time. One of his key figures of influence: hip-hop icon and NFL social justice initiative partner Shawn Carter, known more widely as Jay-Z.

Two people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports the rapper has had many discussions with Goodell about what he saw as a need to try to help Kaepernick get back into the league. The people spoke on condition of anonymity because they weren’t authorized to speak publicly on the matter.

Jay-Z received a great deal of criticism in August when he agreed to spearhead the NFL’s entertainment and social justice efforts. When asked about Kaepernick, Carter said, “I think we've moved past kneeling, and I think it's time to go into actionable items.” Critics viewed the comments as dismissive and labeled the artist a sellout for entering the partnership without consulting Kaepernick or outwardly working to get the quarterback a job.

But as the season has progressed, Jay-Z has persisted in his stance that the league needed to facilitate Kaepernick’s potential return, the two people said.

Goodell was receptive. That also partially stemmed from the fact that, according to a memo sent on Tuesday to all 32 teams, the NFL offices had previously received multiple inquiries this season about Kaepernick’s physical and mental readiness to play.

Goodell then sought ways to remedy the situation. He ultimately decided on a course of action without consultation of high-ranking league officials, the NFL Players Association or Kaepernick’s camp. Staffers in the first two offices learned of the workouts once news broke on Twitter on Tuesday afternoon.

The league easily could have instructed interested teams to have Kaepernick in for a visit, which is the typical process for franchises to evaluate free agents. But for whatever reason, Goodell took action.

The timing of the workout — a Saturday afternoon, when most road teams are traveling and some general managers and all college scouts are attending college games — also sparked questions.

But there was no perfect setup for this situation during the season.

Representatives of multiple teams, speaking on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the subject, told USA TODAY Sports that Tuesdays — the usual in-season free agent workout day — can be tricky, as coaches are game-planning and pro scouts are compiling their reports from the weekend while also evaluating players that are trying out at their facilities. Saturdays, they said, can provide greater flexibility because many general managers already are traveling and, if interested enough, could swing by Kaepernick’s workout in Atlanta first. Pro scouts also are available to attend before heading to whatever games they are assigned for advanced scouting, if they are slated to do so. Teams also will receive video of the workout and interview.

Numerous teams have said that they plan to send a representative to the workout, and on Thursday the NFL released a list of 11 teams that had already committed to the event. Former Cleveland Browns coach Hue Jackson will lead the on-field session.

Because of the confusion and timing, NFL players such as Eric Reid, Kaepernick’s close friend and former 49ers teammate who continues to kneel during the national anthem, and Players Coalition co-founder Malcolm Jenkins have said that the tryout has the appearance of a publicity stunt.

Their opinions reflect the lack of consensus not only on the event itself but also on what likely will follow.

NFLPA executive director DeMaurice Smith told USA TODAY Sports that he would be “stunned” if Kaepernick isn’t signed by a team following the workout. However, multiple players and people familiar with the situation told USA TODAY Sports they would be surprised if Kaepernick were to be given a deal, even though multiple teams have depth issues at quarterback.

Others have speculated that while a contract offer immediately following the workout is unlikely, the showcase and subsequent interaction with team officials could lead to a signing this offseason.

Another person close to the league told USA TODAY Sports he believes Kaepernick will sign a contract relatively soon. His thinking: Goodell would not have essentially ripped off a nearly 3-year-old scab and risked another public backlash had he not gotten the sense that someone had genuine interest in Kaepernick.

Other people connected to the league view this move as a way to pass the buck.

If Kaepernick signs with a team, Goodell could take credit for facilitating such a move. If the quarterback remains unsigned, then Goodell could maintain that Kapernick would have had a place if a team believed he could help. But the commissioner could say he did his part.

It’s unclear why the league couldn’t have given Kaepernick more notice. The 32-year-old has said that he has remained in shape and worked out daily to keep his skills sharp for an opportunity. And Goodell apparently believed the time was now.

It’s unclear to whom Kaepernick will throw or what questions he will receive. But he must be prepared to show he can make every throw in the route tree, which everyone who spoke to USA TODAY Sports believes he can. And he must be prepared to explain whether he will continue to protest and how he will respond to any backlash that would accompany a return.

The setup is less than ideal for the quarterback. Some key details and Kaepernick’s prospects remain murky. And yes, it shouldn’t have taken this long for Goodell to make such a move. But Kaepernick can’t concern himself with all that if he aims to position himself for a return that once seemed rather unlikely.

Follow USA TODAY Sports’ Mike Jones on Twitter @ByMikeJones and listen to the Football Jones podcast on iTunes.