This is a really interesting turn of events in the Kaepernick saga. You are right that he is a fringe quarterback these days, he was never a huge threat with his arm but he had other dimensions to his game early in his career with the 49er's. I might take him over Joe Flacco as well haha.

With concerns to the anthem kneeling debate, the whole point of free speech is being able to do this, if people think there is a huge inequality that exists than why not use whatever platform you have to get your word out there. People argue that its disrespecting the flag and military, blah blah blah, says who? When people wear stars and stripes underwear is that not disrespectful?
Colin didn't make a spectacle of the issue, the media did. He simply knelt in protest and talked about it in interviews.

Viewership is down, that could be for a number of reasons, but likely you're right, it has to do with the protests. That just shows me how divided people are on the topic and how closed minded people can be. I'll try and stop it there before I go off on a tangent, but this race issue is a huge issue and needs to be openly discussed, not brushed under the rug.