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Goodell unsure why Kaepernick's unsigned: 'I'm not a football expert'

Michael Thomas / Getty

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell insisted Thursday he doesn't think Colin Kaepernick is being blackballed, but acknowledged he can't pinpoint why the quarterback remains unsigned.

In an appearance on FS1's "First Things First," Goodell was asked if Kaepernick's play last season warranted a contract for the 2017 season.

"I'm not a football expert," Goodell said, as transcribed by Michael David Smith of Pro Football Talk. "I'm a huge fan. I have a role as commissioner also, but for me, I watch the games and enjoy and I let the football people make those decisions."

The commissioner suggested that, so far, teams hadn't judged Kaepernick to be a fit.

"I want to see everyone get an opportunity, including Colin, but those decisions are made by football people," Goodell said.

"When teams have a need and teams feel like they can get better by a particular individual, whether they know the system, or whether they have more talent, or whatever it may be, that's what they do. And I'm still convinced that he'll get that opportunity when the right opportunity comes along. That's what our league's all about."

Kaepernick, the poster child for NFL players protesting the national anthem, has been out of a job since March, when he and the San Francisco 49ers mutually agreed to part ways. The 29-year-old has received little interest as a free agent while continuing to speak out against social injustice.

He threw for 2,241 yards with 16 touchdowns and four interceptions on a 59 percent completion rate during 12 appearances a season ago. He also rushed for 468 yards with two touchdowns and two fumbles.

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