Jim Harbaugh Shuts the Door on Colin Kaepernick Reunion

When Jim Harbaugh was hired as the new Los Angeles Chargers head coach on January 24, he reportedly reached out to Colin Kaepernick about joining his staff. He had mentioned that when he was coaching Michigan previously as he has complimented his former player's football mind for a long time.

As of right now, however, Kaep doesn't seem to be interested in a coaching role. During the Paris Olympics, he told Sky Sports News that he is still hoping to play in the NFL again. On Thursday, Harbaugh shut down any possibility of the 36-year-old joining the Chargers as a player or a coach for next season.

NFL News: Colin Kaepernick Not Joining Chargers Staff This Year

Stating that the coaching staff is set for the 2024 season, Harbaugh didn't entirely close the door to a potential reunion in the future. It will just have to wait at least a year.

"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."

- Chargers HC Jim Harbaugh

Kaepernick hasn't played in an NFL game since January 2017 after being blackballed by the league for kneeling during the national anthem to protest social injustice and police brutality.

Before he failed to find a suitor in the 2017 offseason, Kaepernick had the best seasons of his career under Jim Harbaugh. He carried San Francisco to the Super Bowl in 2012 and had a 29-16 record under Harbaugh.

After Harbaugh left, Kaepernick struggled to find success under Jim Tomsula and Chip Kelly. When Kyle Shanahan was hired in 2017, Kaepernick left and hasn't played since.

In what coaching role Kaepernick would be in if he were to take the job remains to be seen but it sounds like he is going to try to be on the field first.

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