You can now add Ryan Fitzpatrick to the list of NFL quarterbacks signed before Colin Kaepernick this offseason.
Unfortunately, with Fitzpatrick going to the Buccaneers to serve as Jameis Winston’s top backup — replacing Mike Glennon and ahead of Ryan Griffin —Kaepernick is down to the Seahawks or bust to be on an NFL roster in 2017.
Since we broke down Kaepernick’s final six routes to such employment in late March, we’ve had the 2017 NFL draft and several more waves of free agency. File Fitzpatrick under Blaine Gabbert, who got a one-year deal from the Cardinals last week.
That leaves the Seahawks as the only NFL team that didn’t make a move for a QB, and still also has an issue at QB. Undrafted second-year man Treyvone Boykin, with his two-arrest offseason, remains the No. 2 to Russell Wilson.
At one point, it seemed like Seattle was a shocking landing spot for Kaepernick. Now logically, beyond all the other reasons why Kaepernick is still unsigned, it’s the only spot.
Just in case you missed any QB move, big or small, let’s circle back to the Seahawks by seeing what every other NFL team has handled the position this offseason.
Elsewhere in the NFC West, after the 49ers chose to not to bring back Kaepernick or Gabbert, they signed Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley and drafted C.J. Beathard. The Cardinals got Gabbert behind Carson Palmer, and the Rams elevated Sean Mannion behind Jared Goff.
In the NFC East, the Cowboys get Kellen Moore healthy to be the new No. 2 with Tony Romo gone. The Giants got insurance in Geno Smith and the future in Davis Webb. The Redskins had to spend even more on Kirk Cousins, so stuck with Colt McCoy. The Eagles brought back Nick Foles to back up Carson Wentz.
In the NFC South, Derek Anderson is one of the league’s better backups for Cam Newton. You just heard about Fitzpatrick to the Bucs, and the Saints brought back Chase Daniel. The Falcons re-signed Matt Schaub behind Matt Ryan for two more years.
Forget about the NFC North, too. The Bears replaced Jay Cutler, Hoyer and Barkley with Mike Glennon and Mitchell Trubisky. The Packers know Brett Hundley becomes a free agent in ’18, but they’re OK with him for one more year behind Aaron Rodgers. The Vikings got Case Keenum. The Lions drafted Brad Kaaya.
The AFC doesn’t look much better. In the East, the Patriots kept Jimmy Garoppolo and the Jets signed Josh McCown. The Dolphins still have Matt Moore behind Ryan Tannehill, and the Bills drafted Nathan Peterman after keeping Tyrod Taylor and Cardale Jones.
In the South, the Texans drafted Deshaun Watson and the Titans re-signed Matt Cassel. The Colts have one more year of Scott Tolzien and the Jaguars have one more year of Chad Henne.
The AFC North gets bleaker for Kaepernick. The Browns added DeShone Kizer and Brock Osweiler. The Steelers kept Landry Jones and drafted Josh Dobbs. The Ravens re-signed Ryan Mallett, and the Bengals didn’t trade AJ McCarron.
That leaves the AFC West. Broncos took a flyer on Chad Kelly very late in the draft, but stood pat with Trevor Siemian vs. Paxton Lynch.after Romo chose television. The Chargers re-signed Kellen Clemens behind ironman Phliip Rivers. The Raiders added EJ Manuel behind Derek Carr and Connor Cook. Finally, the Chiefs went with another strong-armed passer who could have played professional baseball, but it was rookie first-rounder Patrick Mahomes.
That leaves it all in the Seahawks’ hands. And Kaepernick has some competition there, too, as Seattle is also considering Robert Griffin III.
The why of Kaepernick will keep being hotly debated. But it’s clear where the where is now.
