For the first time since Madden 17, Colin Kaepernick is available in the EA Sports football franchise after a game update on Tuesday.
“The team at EA Sports, along with millions of Madden NFL fans, want to see him back in our game,” EA Sports said Tuesday on Twitter. “Knowing that our EA Sports experiences are platforms for players to create, we want to make Madden NFL a place that reflects Colin’s position and talent, rates him as a starting QB, and empowers our fans to express their hopes for the future of football. We’ve worked with Colin to make this possible, and we’re excited to bring it to all of you today.”
According to EA Sports, when Kaepernick became a free agent after the 2016 season, the company lost the rights to create him in the games (Madden 18, 19, & 20) because the QB wasn’t included in subsequent group licensing agreements with the NFL’s Players Association.
His name was also “mistakenly” removed from two songs — Mike WiLL Made-It’s “Bars of Soap” and YG’s “Big Bank” (featuring Big Sean, 2 Chainz and Nicki Minaj) — featured on the soundtracks of Madden 18 and Madden 19, respectively.
EA Sports approached Kaepernick this past summer to negotiate the rights to his likeness so that he could be added to the game. Apparently he was was very “hands-on” in determining exactly how his avatar was depicted in Madden 21. EA Sports confirmed that Kaepernick requested that his player in the game wear an Afro — an update from his most recent head image in 2016 that portrayed him in Madden 17 with cornrows. He also weighed in heavily on his avatar’s signature celebration — a Black Power fist.
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When you score a touchdown with Colin Kaepernick in #Madden21 and choose “signature” celebration, Kap holds up the Black Power fist. pic.twitter.com/rclVIFjXze
The only surprising part of all this is that he was given a player rating of 81. His peak rating was 89 in both Madden 25 and Madden 15 before falling to 81 in Madden 16 and then to 74 in Madden 17. So he actually got better after not playing for four years? His rating of 81 in Madden 21 ranks him 15th out of the game’s 111 total quarterbacks. The QBs rated higher than him: Patrick Mahomes 99, Russell Wilson 97, Lamar Jackson 94, Drew Brees 93, Tom Brady 90, Aaron Rodgers 89, Matt Ryan 87, Deshaun Watson 86, Carson Wentz 84, Dak Prescott 84, Jimmy Garoppolo 83, Matthew Stafford 83, Kirk Cousins 82, Philip Rivers 82, and shares 81 with Ben Roethlisberger.
Last night I decided to try to add him to every team and simulate a season to see how it turned out. I didn’t put too much effort into the process, all I did was sign him to the team if he fit under the cap (he signs for 1 year, $13.4m). If he did, I simulated the season and wrote down the team record and his stats. Here are the results, in alphabetical order by team name:
- Bears: 12-4, lost to Giants 24-21. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,364 yards, 33 touchdowns, and 7 interceptions. He also ran for 252 yards and 1 score. In offseason, offered him a 1 year deal for $17.5m, he turned it down and signed with the Colts for 1 year $19m.
- Bengals: 8-6-2, lost to Colts 20-13 in wild card. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,419 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 6 interceptions. He also ran for 236 yards and 1 score.
- Bills: Exceeded salary cap.
- Broncos: 6-10, missed playoffs. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,817 yards, 29 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also ran for 197 yards and 1 score.
- Browns: 8-8, missed playoffs. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 4,014 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 14 interceptions. He also ran for 210 yards and 2 scores.
- Buccaneers: Exceeded salary cap.
- Cardinals: 5-11. He completed 59 percent of his passes for 3,634 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 17 interceptions. He also ran for 229 yards and 4 scores.
- Chargers: 6-10. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,469 yards, 26 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions. He also ran for 183 yards and 4 scores.
- Chiefs: Yeah right. Exceeded salary cap.
- Colts: Exceeded salary cap.
- Cowboys: Exceeded salary cap.
- Dolphins: 3-12-1. He completed 56 percent of his passes for 2,760 yards, 14 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He also ran for 170 yards and 2 scores.
- Eagles: QB2 behind Carson Wentz.
- Falcons: QB2 behind Matt Ryan.
- 49ers: QB2 behind Garoppolo.
- Giants: 7-9 record, missed playoffs. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,887 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 16 interceptions. He also ran for 253 yards and 3 scores.
- Jaguars: 5-11. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,338 yards, 24 touchdowns, and 9 interceptions. He also ran for 224 yards and 1 score.
- Jets: 4-12 record. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 4,318 yards, 32 touchdowns, and 18 interceptions. He also ran for 247 yards and 2 scores.
- Lions: QB2 behind Matthew Stafford.
- Packers: QB2 behind Aaron Rodgers.
- Patriots: 10-6, lost to Bengals 30-27 in playoffs. He completed 65 percent of his passes for 4,288 yards, 40 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 155 yards and 2 scores.
- Panthers: 8-8 record, missed playoffs. He completed 63 percent of his passes for 3,576 yards, 22 touchdowns, and 10 interceptions. He also ran for 213 yards and 3 scores.
- Raiders: Exceeded salary cap.
- Rams: 6-9-1, missed playoffs. He completed 60 percent of his passes for 3,485 yards, 28 touchdowns, and 12 interceptions. He also ran for 200 yards and 1 score.
- Ravens: QB2 behind Lamar Jackson.
- Redskins: 7-9, missed playoffs. He completed 57 percent of his passes for 3,218 yards, 23 touchdowns, and 8 interceptions. He also ran for 169 yards and 1 score.
- Saints: QB2 behind Drew Brees.
- Seahawks: QB2 behind Russell Wilson.
- Steelers: QB2 behind Ben Roethlisberger.
- Texans: QB2 behind Deshaun Watson.
- Titans: 9-7 record, lost to 8-7-1 Bengals in Wild Card 28-14. He completed 64 percent of his passes for 4,570 yards, 31 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He also ran for 183 yards and 0 scores.
- Vikings: QB behind Kirk Cousins.
He made the playoffs 4 times, losing the first game each time. He was most successful with the Patriots and the Bears. I ran the simulation again with the Bears and they went 11-5. He completed 62 percent of his passes for 3,940 yards, 34 touchdowns, and 15 interceptions. He also ran for 226 yards and 1 score. He broke his toe and couldn’t play in the playoffs. Trubisky managed to lead them to two playoff wins, then with the week off for the Pro Bowl, Kaepernick was able to return in time for the Super Bowl where they were crushed 30-3 by the Ravens. In the offseason, I offered him a 1-year $20m deal which he turned down to test free agency. He received no other offers, I signed him for less.
If you are a fan, he is there for you to use. If you aren’t, let him remain a free agent like real life. Or heck, as I am sure he himself would do, you can always tweak his attributes and make him a 99. lol
Have you played Madden 21 yet? What do you think about it so far?
Mick Lite served for 12 years in the military and is now an entrepreneur and photographer. Has worked as the official scorer and social media manager for the River City Rascals, Statistician for the Missouri Monsters and St. Louis Attack arena football teams, and as the Team Photographer and social media consultant for the St. Charles Chill, SLU Hockey, St. Louis Slam, and Gateway Grizzlies.
