Colin Kaepernick remains a free agent as the 2017 begins and several teams start quarterbacks that are inferior to him by any objective matter.

“No one wants to deal with that,” said an owner of one of the league’s 32 franchises.

“No one wants the nonsense or the [B.S.] . . . It’s not collusion, it’s common sense,” the NFL owner said, going on to credit Kaepernick on one front. “The thing that he’s done probably more effectively than any team community relations staff or owner or coach could do for other players is [point out] that they do have the ability to affect the national dialogue.”

Sports Illustrated's Albert Breer, who shared football opinions from several decision-makers on why Kaepernick remains unsigned, even admitted this week that he would have a contract if not for his social activism.

“He had no idea how big it was going to get,” said Nate Boyer, an ex-Green Beret who has occasionally communicated with Kaepernick over the past year.