Can Chargers new HC Jim Harbaugh engineer Colin Kaepernick’s NFL comeback?

The Los Angeles Chargers recently hired Jim Harbaugh to be their next head coach.

Can Chargers new HC Jim Harbaugh engineer Colin Kaepernick’s NFL comeback?

Jim Harbaugh (L) and Colin Kaepernick (R) (Credits: Imago)

The Los Angeles Chargers recently hired the former Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh to be their new leader ahead of the 2024 NFL season. Harbaugh is returning to the league for the first time since 2014. Amidst his much-anticipated return, fans are wondering whether he will revive the controversial former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick‘s career.

Jim Harbaugh was the head coach of the Niners when the team moved up on the draft boards to select Colin Kaepernick in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. From that day to now, Harbaugh and Kaepernick have supported each other.

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Kaepernick has been out of the league since 2016. The controversial quarterback even filed a lawsuit against the NFL for blackballing him from the league after he took a knee during the national anthem to protest against racial inequalities and police brutality. He is still trying to get a second chance in the league as a quarterback.

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Amidst this, NBC analyst Mike Florio speculates that the new Chargers head coach can bring Colin Kaepernick to LA with him, not as a player, but as a coach. Florio believes Harbaugh can bring in Kaepernick as one of his assistants due to the history between them.

Back in 2022, when Harbaugh was linked to the Minnesota Vikings, he reportedly considered bringing Kaepernick as the quarterback’s coach. But Harbaugh didn’t land a job with the Vikings and went back to Michigan. Furthermore, Harbaugh also gave Kaepernick a chance to showcase his talents by conducting an in-person throwing session for NFL scouts during halftime of the Michigan spring game.

Furthermore, Kaepernick also supported Jim Harbaugh getting the Chargers head coaching gig, saying he is “the one coach you call when you want to compete for a championship.”

Would Colin Kaepernick join Jim Harbaugh’s coaching staff in Los Angeles?

Many experts believe the new Chargers head coach, Jim Harbaugh, is going to bring his trusted aides from Michigan to assist him in his head coaching gig in Los Angeles. Some believe his former quarterback might be one of them.

Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick (via Imago)

Experts speculate Harbaugh will hand either the QB coach gig to Kaepernick or replace the current offensive coordinator Kellen Moore with the former 49ers QB. But would Kaepernick be open to it?

The last time the league heard from Kaepernick, he was still trying to play in the NFL as a quarterback. Recently, he wrote a letter to the New York Jets, asking them for an opportunity to be their QB after Aaron Rodgers went down with a season-ending injury.

However, it is clear that the league has moved on from Kaepernick. Last season, there were many significant QB injuries, which led to the Cleveland Browns using 5 different quarterbacks throughout the season and the Vikings using 4 different QBs.

But none of the teams turned towards Kaepernick at any point. So, the 36-year-old former quarterback might have other options than accepting a coaching gig if he wants to return to the league.

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