Getty Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick would be a good option to step in after Patrick Mahomes' injury.
The Philadelphia Eagles ultimately chose Josh McCown as their new backup quarterback over Colin Kaepernick. The former 49ers signal-caller is available — and head coach Doug Pederson touched on it.
Of course, Pederson did it in the vaguest way possible. He basically skirted the question by telling reporters that the Eagles considered “everybody.” The response came to a question that specifically asked about Kaepernick. “We consider everyone then we do what’s best for the Eagles,” Pederson said.
And Pederson said #Eagles considered Colin Kaepernick, per this line: “We consider everyone then we do what’s best for the Eagles.”
Kaepernick has been the constant subject of NFL comeback rumors since he posted a now-viral workout video on social media. The Super Bowl-leading quarterback hasn’t played in more than 900 days as backlash from his controversial efforts to fight social injustice. Kaepernick did receive an undisclosed settlement from the NFL from a lawsuit accusing the league of collusion.
#Eagles HC Doug Pederson says they consider “everybody” when asked if Eagles considered Colin Kaepernick
At the end of the day, the Eagles went with McCown — and so far it appears to be a perfect fit.
“More than anything, it was the comfort level I had talking with Doug [Pederson], where they’re trying to take this thing and where they’re trying to get back to and understanding the expectations that they have here,” McCown said. “It was an easy sell, to be quite honest.”
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Josh McCown New No. 2 Quarterback in Philly
The common belief was Josh McCown’s addition was the direct result of a combination of Cody Kessler’s concussion and Nate Sudfeld’s broken wrist. The Eagles were in dire need of another camp body, particularly a veteran insurance policy behind Carson Wentz.
However, the fact the Eagles lured McCown out of retirement and gave him $2 million fully guaranteed suggests the 17-year veteran is a part of their long-term plans. Head coach Doug Pederson joked that the reason they signed McCown was because of his age.
“He’s 40. He’s close to my age,” joked Pederson, via The News Journal. “Listen, he’s a veteran quarterback. He’s been around. He’s seen a lot. He’s a guy that just can add a lot of knowledge and depth in that room … Obviously, he played this position and started a ton of games in this league, excited to get him going and get him up to speed.”
Josh McCown with a power move by wearing Jordan 1s to practice today #Eagles
McCown took the practice field Sunday wearing a red No. 18 jersey. It didn’t take much convincing to get the 40-year-old quarterback to give up his cushy gig at ESPN and put the uniform back on. But the conversations with Pederson and Eagles GM Howie Roseman definitely helped sway him. Perhaps the biggest coup was the talent on the Eagles’ roster. McCown admitted he was only coming back to a Super Bowl contender. Plain and simple, he wants a ring.
“There were only a certain number of teams I think I would be interested in and that met the criteria I talked about, and this was certainly one of them,” McCown told reporters, via The News Journal. “It was cool when this opportunity came up and we started to talk about it as a family. They were excited, and they were like, ‘Man, you gotta go.’”
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