Seahawks' Carroll says Kaepernick has reached out to him

Colin Kaepernick and Seattle Seahawks head coach Pete Carroll have been in touch in light of the Russell Wilson trade that's left the franchise with a gaping hole at quarterback.

"He contacted me the other day," Carroll said Wednesday. "(He) said, 'Hey, I'd like to get a shot. I'm working out.' He sent me some videos. The next thing I know, he's working out with Tyler Lockett. … Does that guy deserve a second shot? I think he does, somewhere.

"I don't know if it's here. I don't know where it is. I don't know if it's even in football. But it's just, people get a second opportunity in their lifetime, and they can make the most of it if they're ready for it."

Kaepernick hasn't played in the NFL since 2016. A polarizing figure, he was the first NFL player to kneel during national anthems to protest police brutality and racial inequality in the United States.

The now-34-year-old has continued to work out during his prolonged absence from professional football. Lockett endorsed him after their on-field session Monday.

While Carroll repeatedly lauded the importance of second chances, he also sounded content to go into the 2022 season with Drew Lock under center. Lock was one of the pieces that came back to Seattle in the Wilson deal.

"Is this a second chance for Drew Lock? Heck yeah it is," said Carroll.

The veteran coach added that the Seahawks "loved" Lock as a draft prospect when he came out of Missouri in 2019. Lock showed some promise with the Denver Broncos but mostly struggled in his three seasons there.