Colin Kaepernick isn’t becoming a member of the Chargers as a coach or a participant this season.
Coach Jim Harbaugh ended all hypothesis relating to his former quarterback with the San Francisco 49ers whereas talking with reporters Thursday afternoon.
“I like Colin,” stated Harbaugh, who coached the 49ers from 2011-14. “However he’s not going to be on my teaching employees this yr, and he’s not going to be on the roster both.”
A report this week indicated that Harbaugh wished Kaepernick on his teaching employees and that the 2 of them mentioned the likelihood again in January.
“Yeah, we talked a little bit bit about it,” Harbaugh informed USA As we speak. “He’s contemplating it. He was in another country. He stated he was going to get again to me. We haven’t reconnected since then.”
Chargers linebackers coach NaVorro Bowman and assistant defensive position coach Will Tukuafu performed for the 49ers underneath Harbaugh. Each are first-year coaches. Retired tight finish Delanie Walker, one other former 49er from the Harbaugh years, additionally has joined the Chargers employees for coaching camp.
Harbaugh stated Thursday that his resolution to supply Kaepernick a training place stems from a possibility late Raiders proprietor Al Davis gave him as quarterbacks coach in 2002.
“Al Davis noticed one thing in me that made him assume I might be a fantastic coach,” Harbaugh stated. “I see these qualities in Colin.”
In a current interview with Sky Sports activities, nevertheless, Kaepernick stated he’s nonetheless searching for one other shot as a participant — although it’s been seven full seasons since he’s taken a snap.
“We’re nonetheless coaching, nonetheless pushing,” Kaepernick stated. “So hopefully we simply gotta get one in all these workforce house owners to open up.
“I might carry loads to a workforce and assist them win a championship.”
Kaepernick took the 49ers to Tremendous Bowl XLVII after the 2012 season and again to the NFC championship sport the following yr. He famously refused to face for the nationwide anthem earlier than video games throughout the 2016 season, then opted out of his contract with the 49ers the next offseason. He by no means landed on one other workforce.
In October 2017, Kaepernick filed a collusion grievance towards the NFL. He and the league reached an settlement to resolve the grievance in February 2019.
Kaepernick repeatedly has expressed an curiosity in a comeback. Final season he despatched a letter to the New York Jets providing to affix the apply squad as a “risk-free contingency plan” behind starter Zach Wilson after a season-ending Achilles tendon damage to Aaron Rodgers.
The Jets didn’t take him up on his supply, leaving Kaepernick nonetheless searching for his subsequent NFL alternative.
“It’s one thing I’ve skilled my complete life for,” Kaepernick, 36, informed Sky Sports activities, “so to have the ability to step again on the sphere, I feel that will be a significant second, main accomplishment for me.”
Throughout the identical interview, Kaepernick was requested if he could be representing the U.S. in flag soccer when the game makes its Olympic debut on the 2028 Los Angeles Video games.
“Hopefully we’ll be on the market,” Kaepernick stated. “We’re gonna work on some issues, see if we are able to make it in there. However we’d like to be on the market.”