Colin Kaepernick mulling offer to join NFL team, report says

LOS ANGELES (TND) — Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick may soon return to the field after a years-long hiatus from the league.

Kaepernick played in the NFL for six seasons before opting out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers and becoming a free agent. He was known for taking a knee during the national anthem, a protest against police brutality that inspired other prominent athletes to do the same but drew strong backlash from many NFL fans.

In 2017, Kaepernick sued the NFL, accusing team owners of colluding to keep him out of the league. He has since been without a team and has become involved in activism.

The former quarterback reportedly received an offer from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh to join the team’s coaching staff, according to USA Today. Kaepernick played for Harbaugh during his time with the 49ers, culminating in an appearance in Super Bowl 47.

“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh told the publication. “He’d be a tremendous coach, if that’s the path he chose.”

“He’s one of my favorite players that I’ve ever coached,” Harbaugh added. “Love Colin.”

Kaepernick has long been determined to return to the NFL. Kaepernick contacted the New York Jets in 2023 to inquire about potentially joining the squad to fill the vacancy left after quarterback Aaron Rodgers suffered a season-ending Achilles tendon tear.

In a letter to the team, Kaepernick said he would be “honored and extremely grateful for the opportunity to come in and lead the practice squad.”

“I would do this with the sole mission of getting your defense ready each week,” Kaepernick said at the time.