Former NFL quarterback Colin Kaepernick has once again found himself in the spotlight this week, largely due to a surprising job offer from Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh, who coached Kaepernick during their successful run with the San Francisco 49ers, revealed in an interview with USA Today that he recently discussed the possibility of Kaepernick joining the Chargers in a “non-playing capacity.” Specifically, Harbaugh suggested that Kaepernick consider stepping into a coaching role, an idea he believes could be a perfect fit for the former quarterback.
“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh stated, via USA Today. “He’d be a tremendous coach if that’s the path he chose.”
The notion of Kaepernick transitioning into coaching has sparked widespread discussion, and ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith weighed in on the topic during the latest episode of his podcast. Known for his passionate and unfiltered commentary, Smith didn’t hold back when addressing Harbaugh’s offer to Kaepernick.
While Smith acknowledged that he would be supportive of Kaepernick pursuing a coaching career, he also made it clear that he believes the 35-year-old’s days as an NFL quarterback are over. “If he wants to bring Colin Kaepernick there, cool. No problem. I think Colin Kaepernick would be a good coach. I think that Colin Kaepernick, if he wants the opportunity, should be the coach,” Smith said, via Awful Announcing. “What I would say, however, is I don’t want to hear [expletive] about him being a quarterback. That ship should have sailed. Not only has it sailed, it should have sailed. I know some people don’t want to say it, I will.”
Smith’s blunt assessment reflects a sentiment shared by many within the football community: that while Kaepernick’s impact on the game and his contributions to social justice are undeniable, his prospects of returning to the NFL as a starting quarterback are increasingly unrealistic. After all, it has been several years since Kaepernick last played in the league, with his final season in 2016 marking the end of a career that was abruptly cut short due to his protests against racial injustice.
Despite Smith’s strong stance, Kaepernick has not shown any signs of abandoning his dream of playing quarterback in the NFL again. In a recent interview with Sky Sports, he reiterated his desire to return to the field and expressed confidence in his ability to lead a team to victory. “We’ve just got to get one of these team owners to open up,” Kaepernick said. “It’s something I’ve trained my whole life for, so to be able to step back on the field, I think that would be a major moment, a major accomplishment for me. I think I could bring a lot to a team and help them win a championship.”
However, the reality of Kaepernick’s situation is that the odds of him making a successful comeback as an NFL quarterback are slim to none. The league has changed significantly since his last appearance, and the competition has only grown more intense.
While Kaepernick’s ambition and determination are admirable, his best opportunity to stay involved in the sport he loves may very well lie in coaching—a role where his experience, leadership, and knowledge of the game could make a lasting impact.
As the conversation surrounding Kaepernick’s future continues, it remains to be seen whether he will embrace Harbaugh’s suggestion and explore a new path in football, or if he will continue to hold out hope for one last shot under center.
Whatever the case, Kaepernick’s legacy in the NFL is already secure, but his next chapter, whether on the sidelines or elsewhere, is still unwritten.
