49ers WR Torrey Smith didn't exactly have his best seasons in San Francisco. In fact, statistically, he had his worst. During two seasons with the team, with two different head coaches and two difference offenses, he had just 53 receptions for 930 yards and seven touchdowns. Smith played just 15 games with Colin Kaepernick and, despite the mundane numbers that he put up, the receiver defended his former quarterback on Twitter.
Kaepernick remains unsigned after opting out of the final year of his contract with the 49ers and becoming a free agent. Many within the media believe that Kaepernick's protest of the national anthem in 2016 has a lot to do with the lack of interest on display. Meanwhile, other quarterbacks with less experience have been signed by NFL teams. Smith expressed disbelief that Kaepernick remains unsigned while quarterbacks with less on their resumes are being snatched up.
At least 64 QBS are in the NFL...Kap doesn't have a job....but some folks who he is better than do pic.twitter.com/k92jGNl6ZX
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Colin Kaepernick is not currently employed. However, his skill set vastly exceeds others who were on the market. 😴 https://t.co/hghtIYVcHN
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Of course, other than guys like Brian Hoyer of the 49ers, most of the quarterbacks being signed are doing so for far less money than Kaepernick is likely looking for. The former 49ers quarterback believes that he can still compete for a starting job. Plus, you have the 2017 NFL Draft kicking off in just over a month so it is likely that a number of teams are waiting to see what unfolds during the three-day event.
Smith is well aware that his two seasons in San Francisco were among his worst and feels that the lack of big numbers shows that he is unbiased in his opinion.
I say that with me having the 2 worst years of my career out west...no bias
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Smith doesn't believe that Kaepernick's protest was a distraction for the team and the only ones distracted by it were the media. He feels that the reason for the team's 2-14 record was a lack of consistency.
Not really his protest was like 90 seconds...quiet...he said he was going to do it so it wasn't a surprise...it was the norm and old news https://t.co/LlqCHSBSFe
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Media wise it was a distraction because they wouldn't let it go lol but is that why we lost...no..we weren't consistent enough in all phases https://t.co/Vzoz6LTMwF
— Torrey Smith (@TorreySmithWR) March 22, 2017
Academy Award-nominated director Spike Lee has come out and said that the league's refusal to sign Kaepernick "stinks to the high heaven."
The 49ers appear to have moved on from Kaepernick. Since he opted out of his contract, the team has signed two former Chicago Bears quarterbacks – Brian Hoyer and Matt Barkley. 49ers general manager John Lynch doesn't believe the chances of Kaepernick returning to the 49ers are very high.
"Here we are with two quarterbacks, but like we said, we're gonna look at every option," Lynch said on KNBR last week. "The likelihood of [Kaepernick returning] has probably gone down significantly, but we're not going to close our mind or our options on anyone, including him."
In the meantime, Kaepernick has stated that he will end his protest and will now stand for the national anthem in 2017. He also continues his humanitarian work, donating $100,000 every month to organizations that support his views on racial discrimination and social injustice, securing a 60-ton cargo plane to help send food and water to the needy in Somalia, and donating $50,000 to Meals on Wheels.
