Seemingly every NFL season, former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick makes his bid to join a roster. Every season, that never comes to fruition.
Kaepernick recently told Sky Sports that he is angling for an NFL return, and is staying ready.
“We’re still training, still pushing,” Kaepernick told Sky Sports News. “So hopefully. We’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up.”
“It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for, so to be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. I think I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship,” Kaepernick added.
Despite Kaepernick’s constant requests to join an NFL roster, he has yet to receive that chance. Though he wants to return as a player, there is another proposition in place from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
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SANTA CLARA, CA – DECEMBER 28: Head coach Jim Harbaugh of the San Francisco 49ers talks with Colin Kaepernick #7 before their game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium on December 28, 2014 in Santa Clara, California. Jim Harbaugh wants Colin Kaepernick to join his staff.
Ezra Shaw/Getty Images
Harbaugh spoke to USA Today about Kaepernick, and revealed they have had conversations about the former quarterback joining L.A. in a coaching role.
“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh told USA TODAY Sports. “He’d be a tremendous coach if that’s the path he chose.”
Harbaugh has had plenty of experience with Kaepernick, as he was the quarterback during Harbaugh’s last run in the NFL with the 49ers. The pair wound up making it to Super Bowl XLVII in 2012, though the 49ers were bested by the Baltimore Ravens, 34-31.
Kaepernick has been out of the NFL since 2016, but Harbaugh believes he would thrive in a coaching role.
Harbaugh revealed that the conversations between him and Kaepernick about coaching happened “early” in the year, and they have not spoken about the possibility since then.
“Yeah, we talked a little bit about it,” Harbaugh said. “He’s considering it. He was out of the country. He said he was going to get back to me. We haven’t reconnected since then. That was early, early in the year.”
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If Harbaugh were to lure Kaepernick to a coaching position with the Chargers, it would be the second instance of a former player under Harbaugh being added to his coaching staff. Fellow former 49er NaVorro Bowman is on Harbaugh’s staff as linebackers coach for the Chargers.
Kaepernick has long angled for an NFL return, but playing might no longer be a possibility. However, it appears he could transition to coaching instead, assuming he takes Harbaugh up on this opportunity.
