Redskins Coach: Kaepernick Was Discussed, But We’ll Go in Another Direction

Jay Gruden said the team didn't think Kaepernick would have time to learn the offense. 

President Trump "Absolutely" Supports Kaepernick's NFL Return
Colin Kaepernick looks on from the sidelines in 2016. (Thearon W. Henderson/Getty)
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Two weeks after losing starting quarterback Alex Smith to a severely broken leg, the Washington Redskins lost backup Colt McCoy for the season when he suffered a broken right leg in the team’s loss to the Philadelphia Eagles.

Following Smith’s injury, the Redskins worked out a number of journeymen quarterbacks E.J. Manuel, T.J. Yates, Josh Johnson, and Mark Sanchez.

Colin Kaepernick was not among them despite having the most impressive resume of any free agent on the quarterback market.

With the injury to McCoy, the Redskins now have the chance to correct their mistake and give a quarterback who was a play away from winning a Super Bowl and a play away from advancing to a second another shot at the NFL.

But, in typical Redskins fashion, they won’t.

While speaking with reporters, Washington coach Jay Gruden said the team discussed Kaepernick but decided not to pursue him because there would not be enough time to “get a brand new QB and a system installed and taught in a couple days.”

“He’s been talked about and discussed, but we’ll probably go in a different direction,” Gruden said. “If this was Week 1, it would have been a greater possibility.”

Another great decision from Washington’s football team.

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