Roger Goodell says he would 'encourage' a team to sign Colin Kaepernick

• NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell told ESPN that he would "encourage" teams to sign Colin Kaepernick.
• "It's going to take a team to make that decision," Goodell said. "But I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that."
• Kaepernick has not played since the 2016 season, but has said that he's still game-ready.

NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell says he will "encourage" teams to sign former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Speaking with ESPN's Mike Greenberg as a part of the network's "The Return of Sports" special, Goodell said that while the decision of signing Kaepernick wasn't up to him, he would welcome him back to the league if a team were to pick him up.

"Well, listen, if he wants to resume his career in the NFL, then obviously it's going to take a team to make that decision," Goodell said. "But I welcome that, support a club making that decision and encourage them to do that."

Goodell went on to say that if Kaepernick did not get signed, or decided he would rather continue with his work as an activist than pursue a career in football, there would still be a role for him to play with the NFL moving forward.

"If his efforts are not on the field but continuing to work in this space, we welcome him to that table and to help us, guide us, help us make better decisions about the kinds of things that need to be done in the communities," Goodell said. "We have invited him in before, and we want to make sure that everybody's welcome at that table and trying to help us deal with some very complex, difficult issues that have been around for a long time.

"But I hope we're at a point now where everybody's committed to making long-term, sustainable change."

Kaepernick hasn't played since the 2016 season, during which he protested police brutality and racial inequality in the justice system by taking a knee during the national anthem.

While the NFL had been against players taking part in peaceful protests during the anthem in years past, Goodell has changed his tune in recent weeks as marches and demonstrations demanding justice for George Floyd have swept across the country.

Two weeks ago, Goodell apologized for the league's previous stance against players that chose to protest in a video shared over social media.

"We, the National Football League, condemn racism and the systematic oppression of black people," Goodell said. "We the National Football League admit we were wrong for not listening to NFL players earlier, and encourage all to speak out and peacefully protest. We the National Football League believe Black lives matter. I personally protest with you, and want to be part of the much-needed change in this country."

Despite having not taken NFL snaps in four years, Kaepernick has indicated that he is still game-ready, and at 32, there's still a chance he has some good football left in him. As Goodell said, all it takes is a team to sign him.

• Read more:

Ezekiel Elliott and several other NFL players have tested positive for COVID-19 before training camp even begins, and the league's challenge to return safely looks daunting

Several top NASCAR drivers drop helmet designer over confederate flag tweets

One NFL coach says he will kneel with his team during the national anthem, and it shows that the effort to make change in the league is gaining momentum beyond its players

The NFL changed its stance on player protests, but the true test will come from Trump in the fall