Could a Jim Harbaugh and Colin Kaepernick reunion be in the works?
Harbaugh said he spoke with his former quarterback about joining his staff shortly after he was hired as the head coach for the Los Angeles Chargers in January.
Kaepernick, who played six seasons with the San Francisco 49ers including four under Harbaugh, is still hoping to resume his playing career.
“Yeah, we talked a little bit about it,” Harbaugh said Wednesday, according to USA Today. “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.”
With Harbaugh at the helm, Kaepernick took over as the 49ers starting QB in 2012 and led the team to the Super Bowl, where they lost to the Baltimore Ravens.
Kaepernick began kneeling during the national anthem in 2015 to protest police brutality and racial inequality. He was cut by San Francisco when the new management team led by coach Kyle Shanahan wanted to go in a different direction at quarterback.
Kaepernick never got another opportunity to work out for NFL teams, as he alleged he had been ostracized over his protests during the anthem the previous season. He met with the Seattle Seahawks and had informal talks with the Baltimore Ravens but never got a closer look.
He filed a grievance with the NFL in 2017 over his lack of opportunity and settled it in 2019.
Although it’s been eight years since he suited up in the league, Kaepernick told Sky Sports on Monday: “We’re still training, still pushing. So, hopefully. We’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up.”
Harbaugh left the 49ers after the 2014 campaign and coached the University of Michigan for nine seasons, capped with a national title.
He invited Kaepernick for an open workout during an intra-squad spring game at Michigan in 2022.
Harbaugh’s new staff with the Chargers includes three of his former players with the 49ers: NaVorro Bowman (linebackers coach), Jonathan Goodwin (offensive assistant/quarterbacks) and Will Tukuafu (assistant defensive line coach).
— With files from The Associated Press
Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick may be making a return to the football world, but not in the way many fans may have expected. According to a recent report, San Diego Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh has extended an invitation to Kaepernick to join the team’s coaching staff.
Kaepernick, who has been out of the league since 2016, has been a prominent figure in the fight against racial injustice and police brutality. His decision to kneel during the national anthem as a form of peaceful protest sparked a nationwide debate and ultimately led to his departure from the NFL.
Despite not playing in the league for several years, Kaepernick has remained active in his advocacy work and has continued to train in hopes of making a comeback. Harbaugh, who previously coached Kaepernick during their time together with the San Francisco 49ers, sees potential in the quarterback as a coach and mentor for the Chargers.
Harbaugh’s decision to bring Kaepernick on board is not only a testament to their past working relationship, but also a reflection of the changing attitudes within the NFL towards social activism. In recent years, the league has taken steps to address issues of racial inequality and has shown a willingness to support players who speak out on social issues.
If Kaepernick accepts Harbaugh’s offer, he would join a growing number of former players who have transitioned into coaching roles after retiring from the game. His unique perspective and experiences both on and off the field could prove invaluable in helping to shape the next generation of football players.
While it remains to be seen whether Kaepernick will accept the offer and join the Chargers coaching staff, his potential return to the football world in a new capacity is sure to generate excitement and interest among fans and players alike. Only time will tell what the future holds for Kaepernick, but one thing is for certain – his impact on the game of football extends far beyond the field.