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'Just let it go': Internet calls Colin Kaepernick's letter to Jets 'shameful'

Rapper J Cole released Colin Kaepernick's letter to Jets general manager Joe Douglas on Tuesday, September 26

NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: After the New York Jets lost quarterback Aaron Rodgers to an Achilles tear in the 2023 season, Colin Kaepernick has formally asked the football team to be added to the practice squad.

Kaepernick, 35, wrote to the Jets GM last week and explained why he hoped the team would give him a chance with the practice squad in a letter that was released on social media by artist J Cole.

Since his 2017 protest against racism and police violence in America, the veteran athlete has not been listed on an NFL roster.

Aaron Rodgers' arrival as the Jets' quarterback from the Green Bay Packers caused a great deal of enthusiasm, but he tore his Achilles tendon just minutes into his first game against the Buffalo Bills, ending his season, per Daily Mail.

In addition to giving the defense a boost in its preparation for games in weeks 4, 5, and 6, Kaepernick said he would also give the club a chance to assess him without putting Zach Wilson under undue pressure.

Zach Wilson was the Jets' starting quarterback for the following two games, however despite the team's hasty declarations to the contrary, Wilson has been criticized.

Wilson had one strong drive toward the end of Sunday's (September 24) defeat to the Patriots, but otherwise, the offense struggled to find much success.

It drew criticism from several sources, including ex-Jets quarterback and Hall-of-Famer Joe Namath.

Colin Kaepernick's letter was addressed to Jets GM Joe Douglas

J Cole said in the post shared on social media on Tuesday that he had asked Kaepernick's permission to release the letter. "He was reluctant," J Cole penned in the caption.

Kaepernick wrote to Jets general manager Joe Douglas, saying, "I'm writing, of course, in response to the unfortunate loss of Aaron Rodgers. I know the aspirations this season were, and still are, to win a championship, and so that Hall of Fame sized hole will need to be filled as best as possible to keep the team on a Super Bowl track."

"I would be honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad. I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week. If I were able to fill this role, I believe this allows for multiple things."

In his letter, Kaepernick pledged that in any interactions with the former first-round pick, he would "only look to boost" Wilson's confidence.

He added that Wilson would, in an ideal scenario, have the trust and rhythm necessary to guide the Jets to a Super Bowl. Nevertheless, he noted that including him would give the Jets a "risk-free contingency plan."

Kaepernick further added in his letter, "Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and you’re not that impressed. Best case scenario, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal in the event you ever need to use it."

"In either of these scenarios, I would be committed to getting your defense ready week in and week out, all season long, and I would wear that responsibility like a badge of honor."

It is uncertain whether the Jets have responded to Kaepernick in any way, and he has not yet made a public statement regarding the letter that was published.

However, the team is anticipated to add Trevor Siemian to its practice squad, indicating that Kaepernick's offer won't be accepted.

Internet calls Colin Kaepernick's letter to Jets 'shameful'

Social media users, however, didn't receive Kaepernick's letter to the Jets pleasantly and called it "shameful." One internet user took to X (formerly Twitter) to claim, "J cole real for that, but at this point it’s just getting shameful."

A second hopeful X user wrote, "I wish things happened differently for Kaepernick. He didn’t deserve the treatment he received for advocating for something he felt strongly about. That said, he hasn’t played in nearly 7 years. That is too long to be way from NFL game speed to be effective."

"J. Cole from rapper to agent. Not just having athletes walk out with him like Drake," quipped another X user.

Several online users shared funny images and GIFs to make light of Kaepernick's letter to the Jets.

The letter posted by J Cole on Instagram also garnered attention from online users with American former basketball player Matt Barnes commenting, "This is sad.. All for taking a stance against a corrupt policing system"

Singer Alex Hoyer commented, "Should’ve never been out of the league. YES COLE"

"He wasn’t good five years ago and he hasn’t played a snap of nfl football since then," seethed another Instagram user.