Carolina Panthers quarterback Cam Newton came to the defense of free-agent signal-caller Colin Kaepernick, saying he should be on an NFL roster by now. During the Panthers’ news conference, Newton declared that Kaepernick is better than some of the starting quarterbacks in the NFL. “Should he be on a roster? In my opinion, absolutely. There's no question about it. Is he good enough to be on a roster? Is he good enough to be a starting quarterback? Absolutely,” said Newton, who will take on Kaepernick’s former team, the San Francisco 49ers, on Sept.
10. Despite throwing for 2,241 yards, 16 touchdowns, and four interceptions last season with the 49ers, Kaepernick has yet to find a team this season. It is perceived that Kaepernick’s kneeling during the playing of the national anthem as part of his protest against social injustice last season affected his employment in the league, with NFL teams shying away from signing him. “I really think it's not fair. I think it's unfair,” Newton said of Kaepernick’s predicament.
Kaepernick’s numbers don’t lie
Newton has a point because Kaepernick’s career 88.9 passer rating is better than Week 1 starters Josh McCown of the New York Jets (78.2), Blake Bortles of the Jacksonville Jaguars (79.6), Brian Hoyer (84.8) and Mike Glennon of the Chicago Bears (84.6), Scott Tolzien of the Indianapolis Colts (66.4), Tom Savage of the Houston Texans (74.9), Jared Goff of the Los Angeles Rams (63.6), Carson Wentz of the Philadelphia Eagles (79.3), and Jay Cutler of the Miami Dolphins (85.7).
In the offseason, Kaeperick met with the Seattle Seahawks but he received no contract. The Baltimore Ravens also expressed interest in Kaepernick but ultimately decided not to sign him. In his career, Kaepernick tossed for 12,271 yards and 72 touchdowns with 30 interceptions for the 49ers.
Von Miller would welcome Kaepernick with open arms
Denver Broncos linebacker Von Miller, for his part, said he’ll welcome Kaepernick to the team with open arms 100 percent. Miller said Kaepernick is a welcome addition to the Broncos in case the front office, led by general manager John Elway, decides to sign him in the future.
“I feel like he'd be a perfect match in our locker room and not only in our locker room but around the league,” said Miller. The Broncos recently signed Brock Osweiler as a backup quarterback after Paxton Lynch suffered a shoulder injury in the preseason.
