Report: Kaepernick drawing 'legitimate interest' from NFL teams

Colin Kaepernick appears closer to an NFL return than ever.

NFL Network's Mike Silver reported Thursday that Kaepernick is drawing "legitimate interest" from multiple teams, according to Sporting News' Tadd Haislop.

Silver added that one head coach told him he is "absolutely interested" in signing the free-agent quarterback. However, it would be difficult to bring Kaepernick in due to difficulties scheduling a workout during the COVID-19 pandemic, Silver notes.

Kaepernick last played in the NFL in 2016, the year he began kneeling during the national anthem to protest racial injustice and police brutality in the United States. Support for him has grown in recent weeks amid nationwide protests against the injustices he attempted to spotlight.

For the first time since the signal-caller became a free agent, teams have publicly expressed their willingness to sign him. Los Angeles Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn and Seattle Seahawks bench boss Pete Carroll both indicated other clubs were in contact with them regarding Kaepernick, while new Detroit Lions owner Sheila Ford Hamp said she wouldn't stop her organization from adding him.