NFL Week 1 Odds: Could Colin Kaepernick Return to the NFL with the Raiders?

• See odds on who will earn the role of Oakland Raiders’ backup QB
• EJ Manuel is currently listed as the favorite but can Connor Cook unseat him?
• Could free agent Colin Kaepernick be in the mix?
  

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The Oakland Raiders have yet to finalize their backup quarterback position. Sportsbooks have posted odds between EJ Manuel and Connor Cook, who are in Raiders’ camp, as well as a longshot in free agent Colin Kaepernick.

QB1 Derek Carr made a brief appearance in the Raiders’ first preseason game last week against the Lions. Carr played one series completing two of four passes for 11 yards. With Carr firmly entrenched as the starter the Raiders gave Manuel and Cook the bulk of the workload to prove themselves for the backup role.

Who Will Be The Raiders’ Backup QB Week 1

EJ Manuel

Manuel is a veteran of five NFL seasons, but he’s only ever played in 30 games. Manuel played in Buffalo for the first four seasons of his career before joining the Raiders last year. He did see relief duty in Week 4 and started in Week 5 last season when Carr was injured.

In Oakland’s first pre-season game Manuel came on for the second half and went 4/6 for 46 yards. He threw zero touchdowns or interceptions.

Up early to get to work ??? and thankful for another year with #RaiderNation @RAIDERS pic.twitter.com/1Xrp1PvxT6

— EJ Manuel (@EJManuel3) March 23, 2018

Connor Cook

Cook has been a Raider since 2016 but only has one career regular season game to his name. He saw no action last season and his lone starts in 2016 came in Week 17 and the Wild Card Round of the playoffs replacing the injured Carr.

After Carr’s one series against Detroit, he gave way to Cook who was the most involved of all Raider QBs in the game. Cook went 11/19 for 141 yards in passing and completed a seven-yard touchdown to Ryan Switzer. He also completed passes of  24 and 41 yards.

Career Stats

Kaepernick a Raider?

The currently unemployed Kaepernick could be an intriguing option for the Raiders in the backup role. Kaepernick has far and away the most experience and success as compared to either of the Raiders’ current number two options. In addition to his stats in the chart above, he also adds a rushing threat as evidenced by 2,300 yards on the ground and 13 touchdowns in his career.

However, Kap has been out of the league since 2016. No team has been willing to touch him since he began taking a knee during the national anthem in his well-documented protest against social injustice and police brutality.

If Kaepernick’s name can’t even make it into the virtual [EA Sports] NFL, there’s no way he’s touching an actual NFL field in the next few weeks.

Kaps’ stats somehow don’t seem to matter in this handicap. Outside of Raiders’ Head Coach Jon Gruden saying he was surprised Kaepernick didn’t have a team and that he thought he would have one soon way back in March, there really isn’t any news from anyone showing interest. In fact, the biggest news around him recently is his name being edited out from a verse of a Big Sean song in the EA Sports Madden 2019 video game. EA has since apologized and has released an update with his name included.

If Kaepernick’s name can’t even make it into the virtual NFL, there’s no way he’s touching an actual NFL field in the next few weeks during his current collusion grievance with the league.

Pick

Connor Cook +150
It’s still early in preseason but given Cook was first off the bench and had a good showing versus the Lions my money is on him to earn the backup role.

“He did some good things,” Gruden said. “There’s still a couple things decision-wise I think he’s got to correct, but he moved the football, he put points on the board, and I liked his two-minute drill at the end of the half.”

Connor Cook says he’s significantly more comfortable this season & credits Jon Gruden & coaching staff for being good teachers of all aspects of offense. #Raiders pic.twitter.com/uhbOultBvu

— 95.7 The Game (@957thegame) August 11, 2018