Colin Kaepernick to Lions? Not great fit, but new owner will not stand in the way

On Tuesday, the Detroit Lions announced that 94-year-old principal owner Martha Firestone Ford was stepping down in that role and handing the reins to her daughter Sheila Ford Hamp, who had been Firestone Ford's right-hand woman since 2014. In one of her first statements, Ford Hamp said she will be "very hands on." That already has become clear.

Ford Hamp went on record Tuesday in saying that if General Manger Bob Quinn and Coach Matt Patricia – Ford Hamp played a big role in convincing Firestone Ford not to fire those two after last year's 3-12-1 record – wanted to sign controversial quarterback Colin Kaepernick that she would not stand in the way.

"Well, if our coaches and the general manager all thought it was a good idea to bring him in, I would completely support that," she said in a conference call with reporters.

On the surface, Kaepernick wouldn't seem to fit with Detroit. The Lions have a clear-cut starting quarterback in Matthew Stafford -- who isn't very mobile, unlike Kap -- and they signed veteran Chase Daniel to a three-year, $13 million deal in March to be Stafford's backup. You don't give a guy that much money and then make him third string, which in theory Daniel would be if Kaepernick was signed.

However, with the threat of coronavirus this NFL season teams might carry an extra quarterback simply as insurance in case the starter/backup is suddenly sidelined due to testing positive for the virus. Kaepernick is surely an upgrade on current No. 3 David Blough -- let's be honest, Kap is probably better than Daniel, too, despite not having played since the 2016 season.

In addition, Stafford did miss the second half of 2019 with some back fractures. He had been off to the best start of his career. The Lions weren't winning with him under center, but they were losing close.

Ford Hamp also said that if players kneel during the national anthem that they'll be supported by the organization but that she would not be kneeling. Usually, the Ford family is not on the sideline during the national anthem.

Detroit opens the season Sept. 13 at home as a 1.5-point favorite on the William Hill NFL odds against Chicago. Stafford missed both games vs. the Bears in 2019. Ford Hamp also made it clear Tuesday she expects the Lions to win this season or there will be big changes. Detroit has just one playoff victory in the Super Bowl era and not in nearly three decades.

Via SportsLine NFL oddsmakers: Will Colin Kaepernick be on an NFL roster by Week 1 of the 2020 season?

• No -350
• Yes +250

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