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Colin Kaepernick Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
NFL

All the quarterbacks who signed since Colin Kaepernick became a free agent

The list includes journeymen and a player who came out of retirement

(Editor’s note: This list was originally published in August 2017 and has since been updated.)

It has been nearly three years since quarterback Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers on March 2, 2017, making him a free agent. In 2016, Kaepernick, who was drafted by the 49ers in 2011 and helped lead them to the Super Bowl the following year, started sitting (and later kneeling) during the playing of the national anthem before games in protest of police brutality and racial inequality. A day after Kaepernick opted out of his deal, 49ers general manager John Lynch told SiriusXM radio that under Kaepernick’s current contract “it wasn’t going to work,” and the team had planned to release the then-29-year-old.

Kaepernick spent the entire 2017 and 2018 seasons out of work, as virtually every team in the league with a need at quarterback signed a less accomplished passer. Forty-two quarterbacks signed with teams between March 2017 and November 2017, most of whom either had never played in an NFL game or had a losing record as a starter (Kaepernick was 28-30 over five seasons).

During the 2018 season, four teams that either lost their starting quarterback to injury (Washington Redskins, 49ers) or were hindered by subpar play (Buffalo Bills, Jacksonville Jaguars) signed players who have struggled heavily in recent years: the Redskins signed Josh Johnson, who hadn’t played since 2013; the Bills signed Derek Anderson, Cam Newton’s backup with the Carolina Panthers; the 49ers signed Tom Savage, who lasted less than a week with the team; and the Jaguars signed Landry Jones, who lost his backup job in Pittsburgh to a first- and second-year player.

In total, 115 quarterbacks (not including draft picks or players who re-signed with their teams or were promoted from the practice squad) have been signed to teams since Kaepernick opted out. Here is that list:

(Note: Some quarterbacks on the list have been signed multiple times. This list reflects only the first time each player was signed.)

UPDATED: NOV. 15, 2019

Quarterbacks who have signed since Colin Kaepernick became a free agent (player’s stats at the time of signing)

Colin Kaepernick

Date Signed
Yards 12,271
Touchdowns 72
Interceptions 30
Completion 59.8%
Wins/Loss 28–30

Matt Schaub Atlanta Falcons

Date Signed March 9, 2017
Yards 24,867
Touchdowns 133
Interceptions 90
Completion 63.9%
Wins/Loss 47–45

Kellen Clemens Los Angeles Chargers

Date Signed March 9, 2017
Yards 4,017
Touchdowns 16
Interceptions 21
Completion 54.6%
Wins/Loss 8–13

Josh McCown New York Jets

Date Signed March 20, 2017
Yards 14,242
Touchdowns 79
Interceptions 69
Completion 59.1%
Wins/Loss 18–42

EJ Manuel Oakland Raiders

Date Signed March 20, 2017
Yards 3,502
Touchdowns 19
Interceptions 15
Completion 58.3%
Wins/Loss 6–11

Aaron Murray Los Angeles Rams

Date Signed March 22, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Garrett Gilbert Carolina Panthers

Date Signed March 24, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Mark Sanchez Chicago Bears

Date Signed March 24, 2017
Yards 15,219
Touchdowns 86
Interceptions 86
Completion 56.7%
Wins/Loss 37–35

David Fales Miami Dolphins

Date Signed April 5, 2017
Yards 22
Touchdowns 0
Interceptions 0
Completion 40%
Wins/Loss N/A

Matt McGloin Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed April 10, 2017
Yards 1,868
Touchdowns 11
Interceptions 11
Completion 58.1%
Wins/Loss 1–6

T.J. Yates Buffalo Bills

Date Signed April 10, 2017
Yards 1,534
Touchdowns 6
Interceptions 8
Completion 58.1%
Wins/Loss 4–3

Alek Torgersen* Atlanta Falcons

Date Signed May 1, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Sefo Liufau* Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed May 1, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Wes Lunt* Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed May 1, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Trevor Knight* Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed May 2, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Phillip Walker* Indianapolis Colts

Date Signed May 4, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Nick Mullens* San Francisco 49ers

Date Signed May 4, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Zach Terrell* Baltimore Ravens

Date Signed May 5, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Taysom Hill* Green Bay Packers

Date Signed May 5, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Tyler Ferguson* Tennessee Titans

Date Signed May 11, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Cooper Rush* Dallas Cowboys

Date Signed May 12, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Skyler Howard* Seattle Seahawks

Date Signed May 12, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Eli Jenkins* Los Angeles Chargers

Date Signed May 12, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Matt Simms Atlanta Falcons

Date Signed May 15, 2017
Yards 195
Touchdowns 1
Interceptions 1
Completion 48.7%
Wins/Loss N/A

Ryan Fitzpatrick Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed May 19, 2017
Yards 25,888
Touchdowns 166
Interceptions 133
Completion 59.7%
Wins/Loss 46–69–1

Austin Davis Seattle Seahawks

Date Signed June 5, 2017
Yards 2,548
Touchdowns 13
Interceptions 12
Completion 62.4%
Wins/Loss 3–7

Zac Dysert Dallas Cowboys

Date Signed June 5, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Dane Evans* Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed July 23, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Luke McCown Dallas Cowboys

Date Signed July 28, 2017
Yards 2,370
Touchdowns 9
Interceptions 15
Completion 60.7%
Wins/Loss 2–8

David Olson Baltimore Ravens

Date Signed July 28, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Josh Woodrum Baltimore Ravens

Date Signed July 31, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jay Cutler Miami Dolphins

Date Signed Aug. 8, 2017
Yards 32,467
Touchdowns 208
Interceptions 146
Completion 61.9%
Wins/Loss 68–71

Thad Lewis Baltimore Ravens

Date Signed Aug. 14, 2017
Yards 1,296
Touchdowns 5
Interceptions 4
Completion 60.8%
Wins/Loss 2–4

Mitch Leidner* Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed Aug. 20, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Keith Wenning Buffalo Bills

Date Signed Aug. 28, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Brad Kaaya Carolina Panthers

Date Signed Sept. 3, 2017
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Joe Webb Buffalo Bills

Date Signed Sept. 4, 2017
Yards 853
Touchdowns 3
Interceptions 5
Completion 57.9%
Wins/Loss 1–1

Brock Osweiler Denver Broncos

Date Signed September 4, 2017
Yards 5083
Touchdowns 26
Interceptions 22
Completion 59.9%
Wins/Loss 13–8

Ryan Nassib Jacksonville Jaguars

Date Signed Sept. 18, 2017
Yards 128
Touchdowns 1
Interceptions 0
Completion 90%
Wins/Loss N/A

Brandon Weeden Tennessee Titans

Date Signed Oct. 3, 2017
Yards 6,462
Touchdowns 31
Interceptions 30
Completion 57.9%
Wins/Loss 6–19

Brian Hoyer New England Patriots

Date Signed Nov. 1, 2017
Yards 8,608
Touchdowns 44
Interceptions 26
Completion 59.5
Wins/Loss 16–15

Josh Johnson Houston Texans

Date Signed Nov. 7, 2017
Yards 1,042
Touchdowns 5
Interceptions 10
Completion 54.2
Wins/Loss 0–5

Matt Barkley Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed Nov. 13, 2017
Yards 1,911
Touchdowns 8
Interceptions 18
Completion 59.8
Wins/Loss 1–5

Sam Bradford Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 19,049
Touchdowns 101
Interceptions 57
Completion 62.5
Wins/Loss 34–48–1

Mike Glennon Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 4,933
Touchdowns 34
Interceptions 20
Completion 60.6
Wins/Loss 6–16

Chase Daniel Chicago Bears

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 480
Touchdowns 1
Interceptions 1
Completion 65.4
Wins/Loss 1–1

Kirk Cousins Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 16,206
Touchdowns 99
Interceptions 55
Completion 65.5
Wins/Loss 26–30–1

Tom Savage New Orleans Saints

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 2,000
Touchdowns 5
Interceptions 7
Completion 57.5
Wins/Loss 2–7

Teddy Bridgewater New York Jets

Date Signed March 14, 2018
Yards 6,150
Touchdowns 28
Interceptions 22
Completion 64.7
Wins/Loss 17–11

A.J. McCarron Buffalo Bills

Date Signed March 15, 2018
Yards 920
Touchdowns 6
Interceptions 2
Completion 64.7
Wins/Loss 2–1

Tyler Bray Chicago Bears

Date Signed March 16, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Case Keenum Denver Broncos

Date Signed March 16, 2018
Yards 8,771
Touchdowns 46
Interceptions 27
Completion 61.9
Wins/Loss 20–18

Chad Henne Kansas City Chiefs

Date Signed March 16, 2018
Yards 12,931
Touchdowns 58
Interceptions 63
Completion 59.3
Wins/Loss 18–35

Drew Stanton Cleveland Browns

Date Signed March 30, 2018
Yards 4,059
Touchdowns 20
Interceptions 24
Completion 52.4
Wins/Loss 11–6

Blaine Gabbert Tennessee Titans

Date Signed April 3, 2018
Yards 8,437
Touchdowns 44
Interceptions 43
Completion 55.9
Wins/Loss 11–34

Geno Smith Los Angeles Chargers

Date Signed April 3, 2018
Yards 6,174
Touchdowns 29
Interceptions 36
Completion 57.9
Wins/Loss 12–19

Brandon Doughty Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed April 5, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Matt Cassel Detroit Lions

Date Signed April 9, 2018
Yards 17,449
Touchdowns 104
Interceptions 81
Completion 58.9
Wins/Loss 36–45

Robert Griffin III Baltimore Ravens

Date Signed April 11, 2018
Yards 8,983
Touchdowns 42
Interceptions 26
Completion 63.3
Wins/Loss 15–25

Stephen Morris Seattle Seahawks

Date Signed April 13, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Taylor Heinicke Carolina Panthers

Date Signed April 16, 2018
Yards 10
Touchdowns 0
Interceptions 0
Completion 100
Wins/Loss N/A

Joel Stave Cleveland Browns

Date Signed April 30, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Peter Pujals* Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed April 30, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jack Heneghan* San Francisco 49ers

Date Signed April 30, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Chad Kanoff* Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed April 30, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Austin Allen* Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed April 30, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Kurt Benkert* Atlanta Falcons

Date Signed May 2, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Alex Tanney New York Giants

Date Signed May 2, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

J.T. Barrett* New Orleans Saints

Date Signed May 3, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Tim Boyle* Green Bay Packers

Date Signed May 4, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Bryce Petty Miami Dolphins

Date Signed May 4, 2018
Yards 1,353
Touchdowns 4
Interceptions 10
Completion 53.1
Wins/Loss 1–6

Chase Litton* Kansas City Chiefs

Date Signed May 5, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Joe Callahan Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed May 7, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Kyle Allen* Carolina Panthers

Date Signed May 11, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Nic Shimonek* Los Angeles Chargers

Date Signed May 11, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Brogan Roback* Cleveland Browns

Date Signed May 14, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Luis Perez* Denver Broncos

Date Signed May 17, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Nick Stevens* Denver Broncos

Date Signed May 17, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Christian Hackenberg Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed Aug. 12, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

John Wolford* New York Jets

Date Signed Aug. 26, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Connor Jessop* Washington Redskins

Date Signed Aug. 26, 2018
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Kevin Hogan Denver Broncos

Date Signed Sept. 2, 2018
Yards 621
Touchdowns 4
Interceptions 7
Completion 59.4
Wins/Loss 0–1

Derek Anderson Buffalo Bills

Date Signed Oct. 9, 2018
Yards 10,413
Touchdowns 60
Interceptions 60
Completion 54.1
Wins/Loss 20–27

Landry Jones Jacksonville Jaguars

Date Signed Oct. 31, 2018
Yards 1,310
Touchdowns 8
Interceptions 7
Completion 63.9
Wins/Loss 3–2

Nathan Peterman Oakland Raiders

Date Signed Dec. 19, 2018
Yards 252
Touchdowns 2
Interceptions 5
Completion 49
Wins/Loss 1–1

Davis Webb New York Jets

Date Signed March 7, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Brett Hundley Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed March 12, 2019
Yards 1,853
Touchdowns 9
Interceptions 13
Completion 59.5
Wins/Loss 3–6

Ryan Griffin Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed March 12, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Nick Foles Jacksonville Jaguars

Date Signed March 13, 2019
Yards 11,165
Touchdowns 68
Interceptions 33
Completion 61.6
Wins/Loss 26–18

Tyrod Taylor Los Angeles Chargers

Date Signed March 13, 2019
Yards 9,529
Touchdowns 53
Interceptions 20
Completion 61.6
Wins/Loss 23–21–1

Blake Bortles Los Angeles Rams

Date Signed March 18, 2019
Yards 17,646
Touchdowns 103
Interceptions 75
Completion 59.3
Wins/Loss 24–49

Trevor Siemian New York Jets

Date Signed March 20, 2019
Yards 5,686
Touchdowns 30
Interceptions 24
Completion 59.3
Wins/Loss 13–11

Sean Mannion Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed April 7, 2019
Yards 258
Touchdowns 0
Interceptions 1
Completion 62.3
Wins/Loss 0–1

Logan Woodside Tennessee Titans

Date Signed April 8, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Greg Ward Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed April 10, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

T.J. Linta* Kansas City Chiefs

Date Signed April 27, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Kyle Shurmur* Kansas City Chiefs

Date Signed April 27, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jake Browning* Minnesota Vikings

Date Signed April 27, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Brett Rypien* Denver Broncos

Date Signed April 27, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Tyree Jackson* Buffalo Bills

Date Signed April 28, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Nick Fitzgerald Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed April 28, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jacob Dolegala* Cincinnati Bengals

Date Signed April 28, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Drew Anderson* Arizona Cardinals

Date Signed April 29, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Manny Wilkins* Green Bay Packers

Date Signed May 1, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Wilton Speight* San Francisco 49ers

Date Signed May 1, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Taryn Christion* Seattle Seahawks

Date Signed May 1, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Eric Dungey* New York Giants

Date Signed May 2, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

David Blough* Cleveland Browns

Date Signed May 3, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Cody Kessler Philadelphia Eagles

Date Signed May 12, 2019
Yards 2,215
Touchdowns 8
Interceptions 5
Completion 64.2
Wins/Loss 2–10

Devlin Hodges* Pittsburgh Steelers

Date Signed May 13, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Chad Kelly Indianapolis Colts

Date Signed May 20, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Vincent Testaverde* Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Date Signed July 28, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jordan Ta’amu* Houston Texans

Date Signed Aug. 7, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Jalen McClendon Washington Redskins

Date Signed Aug. 11, 2019
Yards N/A
Touchdowns N/A
Interceptions N/A
Completion N/A
Wins/Loss N/A

Matt Moore Kansas City Chiefs

Date Signed Aug. 26, 2019
Yards 6,938
Touchdowns 45
Interceptions 36
Completion 59.6
Wins/Loss 15–15

Jeff Driskel Detroit Lions

Date Signed Sept. 17, 2019
Yards 248
Touchdowns 6
Interceptions 2
Completion 59.7
Wins/Loss 1–4

* undrafted rookie free agent

Liner Notes

ESPN Stats and Information Group contributed to this story.

Martenzie Johnson is a senior writer for Andscape. His favorite cinematic moment is when Django said, "Y'all want to see somethin?"