Top 5 NFL Stars That Should Play In The XFL

#3. Colin Kaepernick

2018 US Open - Day 5

Colin Kaepernick is arguably the most controversial athlete in history; but, as Eric Bischoff would contend, controversy creates cash. While McMahon is trying to capitalize on what a disgruntled fan-base doesn't like about the NFL, Kaepernick would be the most talented available free agent period. Plus, he would bring instant media attention and viewership. Ratings would be enormous and so would the cash-flow for the new league.

McMahon is holding his ground when it comes to his National Anthem stance. All XFL players must stand for the Anthem; however, Kaepernick may reconsider if it means resurrecting his pro career. Perhaps an agreement can be made between McMahon and Kaepernick that would involve Kaepernick standing for the Anthem with a fist in the air and, in turn, giving him a political platform to speak, as well as a hefty donation to one of his chosen charitable causes.

While starring for the San Francisco 49ers, Kaepernick routinely put up Pro Bowl worthy numbers. He has thrown 72 touchdowns coupled with a mere 30 interceptions. He has thrown for over 12,000 yards and run for an additional 1,000 yards. Kaepernick has a lifetime QB rating of 88.9, which is nearly three points higher than Hall of Famer Brett Favre. While Kaepernick hasn't played since 2016, in his final NFL season he put up a QB rating of 90.7 and threw four times as many touchdowns than interceptions.

With all that talent, why can't Kaepernick get a job in the NFL? It is obvious that is has almost everything to do with his political beliefs. Kaepernick has become more famous for taking a knee during the National Anthem (to protest police brutality) than for his stellar football career and the league is terrified that it will further enrage an already angry fanbase. While many Americans mistake Kaepernick's protest as anti-American or anti-troops, their irrational fears have moved the league to essentially blackball one of its most talented stars. No team has taken a chance in signing the former Pro Bowler.

Would Vince McMahon sign Colin Kaepernick? Would he welcome such controversy to a league that folded after only one season nearly two decades ago? If there is an opportunity for ratings, cash, and quality football, he absolutely would. McMahon recently told XFL commissioner Oliver Luck that he wanted to re-imagine the game of football,

"I want a fast-paced game. I want a high octane kind of a game, lots of plays, almost like the hurry up college offenses you see. I want fewer stoppages because people don’t like all the breaks, whether it’s TV time outs or whatever. I want more rhythm, more flow of the game."

Those instructions are certainly in Kaepernick's wheelhouse.

McMahon won't take a political stance and his own National Anthem rhetoric is based nearly entirely on capital. His preferred color is green and his country is his bank, as evidenced by his recent dealings with repeated human rights abusers Saudi Arabia. Undoubtedly, Kaepernick would be a premiere signee and a lucrative one as well. He would be too valuable to pass up.