Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick Faces Backlash For NFL Return Comment

Former San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick has not given up on his dream of playing in the league. Kaepernick, a second-round pick by the 49ers in 2011, has not played in the NFL since the end of the 2017 season.

Following his controversial decision to kneel during the national anthem before games to protest police brutality, team owners banded together to keep Kaepernick from playing in the league. The NFL settled a lawsuit with Kaepernick over collusion.

Former San Francisco 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick wants to return

In April, Kaepernick’s longtime partner, Nessa Diab, told TMZ in April that Kaepernick works out regularly, hoping to return to the league. Kaepernick, 37, doesn’t appear to be a likely signing before the upcoming season.

On Sunday, Dov Kleiman posted a question to NFL fans asking what team might take a chance on signing Kaepernick in 2025.

“Powerful: Colin Kaepernick says that he STILL wants to play in the NFL this season,” Kleiman posted on X. “Kaepernick still trains daily and believes he could bring a lot to a team to help them win a Super Bowl. Colin is 37 years old and has not played in 8 seasons. Which team should take a chance and sign him?”

Kaepernick received backlash for his comments

Fans on social media gave Kaepernick grief for entertaining the idea of playing in the league again.

“Bro just put the fries in the bag man,” wrote a fan.

“Its that time of the off season again. Bro aint nobody want you for years now, find a new hobby,” posted another.

“Just put the fries in the bag Colin,” posted @the_det_times.

“No. Just no. We’ve all been done with him before his last season as a 49er. He sucked the last couple seasons. Then thought social justice would get him to keep his job and kept cancelling on teams, kept saying it was the teams fault instead of just taking responsibility for wanting to be #1 QB with no trust in him,” argued another.

“It would be nice if he had another chance, but not getting hit in 8 years is gonna be tough to get the physical and mind conditioning to deal with it. I hope he gets an opportunity tho,” hopes a fan.

“Nobody wants this dude and the baggage he brings on their team,” posted another.