Early in the offseason, Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh opened the door for Colin Kaepernick’s return to the NFL. On Thursday, Harbaugh officially crushed Kaepernick’s dream for the 2024 season.
Colin Kaepernick wants to play QB again
Since he was booted from the league seven years ago, Kaepernick has said he wants to return to the NFL to pursue his lifelong dream of being a professional quarterback. He recently told Sky Sports he’s training this summer for the opportunity to help an NFL team win the Super Bowl this season:
“I mean, it’s something I’ve trained my whole life for. So to be able to step back on the field would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. Also, I think it’s something that I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”
The Los Angeles Chargers had a job for Kaepernick
Harbaugh told USA Today‘s Jarrett Bell that he offered Kaepernick a coaching job. Harbaugh made it sound like Kaepernick could return to the NFL to coach in 2024:
“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh told Bell. “He’d be a tremendous coach, if that’s the path he chose..
“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.”
Kaepernick’s dream is crushed for the 2024 season
Per the Associated Press, Harbaugh clarified his comments on Kaepernick joining his staff and said the opportunity was closed for the 2024 season. Harbaugh also killed the idea of Kaepernick joining the team as a quarterback:
“I love Colin, but he’s not going to be on the coaching staff, which is set for this year. And he’s not going to be playing on the roster either,” Harbaugh said.
No other team will likely give Kaepernick a shot on the practice squad this season. Kaepernick’s best shot at living out his dream as a quarterback would have been on the Chargers this season. But Harbaugh knows Kaepernick isn’t a viable option as a quarterback.
Harbaugh reiterated he does think Kaepernick can be a great coach in the future:
“I have thought that for a long time. Just the respect that I have for the football mind he has and the football man that he is,” said Harbaugh when asked what made him believe Kaepernick would make a good coach.
“[Late Raiders owner] Al Davis saw something in me that made him think I would be a good coach, and I see those same qualities in Colin. If it is something he chooses.”
For now, Kaepernick’s workout continues to be a publicity stunt. The NFL was open to his return this winter and will be open to him in the future.
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