Jim Harbaugh Offers Colin Kaepernick a Role on L.A. Chargers Staff

Jim Harbaugh recently revealed that he spoke with former quarterback Colin Kaepernick about an opportunity to join the coaching staff of the Los Angeles Chargers. This discussion took place during the off-season, and Harbaugh confirmed that Kaepernick is currently considering the offer.

The Chargers’ coach shared details of their conversation in an interview with USA Today. He mentioned that Kaepernick, who was out of the country, promised to get back to him after their initial discussion. “We talked a little bit about it,” Harbaugh noted, adding, “He’s considering it. We haven’t reconnected since then,” referring to their conversation that took place earlier this year.

Harbaugh had a notable coaching history with Kaepernick, serving as his coach for four seasons when Kaepernick was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers in 2011. After a successful stint at Michigan, Harbaugh took the helm of the Chargers in late January.

Colin Kaepernick has been absent from the NFL since 2016, which followed his contentious decision to kneel during the national anthem as a form of protest against police violence and racial injustice. Kaepernick’s bold stand ignited widespread debate about social issues, leading to his polarizing legacy in professional sports.

Although Kaepernick has tried to make a comeback in the NFL for several years, he opted out of the final year of his contract with the 49ers in 2017. Recently, he expressed his ongoing commitment to training in hopes of returning to professional football. In an interview with Sky Sports, Kaepernick mentioned that he is “still training and still pushing” to re-enter the league.

When discussing his aspirations, he said, “Hopefully, we’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up.” Kaepernick articulated his passion for the game, emphasizing that stepping back onto the field would be a significant achievement for him. “It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for. I think I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship,” he added.

The now-36-year-old quarterback has a career record of 28 wins and 30 losses as a starting QB. Throughout his NFL tenure, he completed 59.8% of his passes, accumulating a total of 12,271 yards, 72 touchdowns, and 30 interceptions. In addition to his passing stats, Kaepernick is also known for his rushing ability, having recorded 2,300 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.

Kaepernick has remained active in his pursuit of joining an NFL team by participating in free agent visits and workouts, including ones with the Las Vegas Raiders and Seattle Seahawks. Notably, he also showcased his skills during a spring game at Michigan in 2022, where he threw passes to draft-eligible wide receivers under Harbaugh’s tutelage.

During his conversation with USA Today, Harbaugh praised Kaepernick, stating he considers him “a hero” and one of his favorite players to coach. “He’d be a tremendous coach, if that’s the path he chose,” Harbaugh remarked, highlighting Kaepernick’s potential coaching abilities.

The Chargers are set to face off against the Los Angeles Rams in their upcoming preseason game, which is scheduled for Saturday at SoFi Stadium in Inglewood, California.

Source: UPI