One of the biggest stories of the NFL offseason has been the future of Colin Kaepernick and if he will be signed to a new team before the start of the season.

Many have argued for and against the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback being signed to a team. While it's difficult to make the case for him to be a starter in the NFL today, he's still definitely good enough to be a backup.

Which is why it's odd to see him still not be part of any team's 53-man roster just days before the start of the new NFL season. The Baltimore Ravens were arguably the closest team to signing him but ultimately decided not to.

Many believe the reason why Kaepernick isn't signed to the Ravens, or any other team for that matter, is because of his off-field distractions that came into the media spotlight last year after he was pictured kneeling during the national anthem.

In the past two weeks, Aaron Rodgers and Cam Newton have come out in support of Kaepernick, while Michael Bennett and Marshawn Lynch have been some of the bigger names that have continued his protest against racial injustice.

On this week's episode of Showtime's "Inside the NFL", Ravens icon Ray Lewis explained the reason why he believes his former team never signed Kaepernick. His conversation with Judy Battista, the show's host, went as follows:

Judy Battista: "I'm startled that he has not been signed. I've been told ever since I've started covering the NFL that talent wins out. We've seen teams take chances on a lot of unsavory characters. The fact that this is what has tipped over and they can't come to grips with signing a guy who has kneeled for the national anthem but you've signed guys that have enormous legal issues -- and they've been embraced by teams and they've been embraced by fans -- I find that curious."

Ray Lewis: "When me and Steve Bisciotti were talking, this is what we were talking about, Judy. We were talking about giving this kid an opportunity to get back in the National Football League. Look, this is what I wanted to share with people. I have been fighting for this kid behind the table like nobody has ... I've never been against Colin Kaepernick. But I am against the way he's done it.

"Then, his girl [Colin Kaepernick's girlfriend] goes out and put out this racist gesture and doesn't know we are in the back office about to try to get this guy signed. Steve Bisciotti has said it himself, 'How can you crucify Ray Lewis when Ray Lewis is the one calling for Colin Kaepernick?' ...
"When they (Ravens) called me, it was to say, 'Yes or no?' ... We were going to close the deal to sign him ... Steve Bisciotti said, 'I want to hear Colin Kaeperkick speak to let me know that he wants to play football.' ... And it never happens because that picture comes up the next day. "

Battista: "So, if not for that ... tweet, you think he would be a Baltimore Raven?"

Lewis: "Then he's flying him to Baltimore. I am sitting with all three of them and we are all having a conversation about bringing Colin Kaepernick in."

The tweet in question can be viewed here.

It’s easy to see why Lewis and Bisciotti weren’t thrilled to be presented in this light. It very well could be the reason why Kaepernick remains unsigned as we approach Week One of the new NFL season.