EL SEGUNDO, Calif. – Colin Kaepernick might have a chance to make a comeback in the NFL, possibly reuniting with his previous coach, Jim Harbaugh.

However, there’s a twist: Kaepernick, now 36, has expressed to Sky Sports his desire to play in the NFL again, but the new head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, Harbaugh, is more interested in having Kaepernick join the coaching ranks rather than play.

“If he were to take that direction, it would be fantastic,” Harbaugh shared with YSL News Sports. “He would be an outstanding coach if he chose that route.”

In a recent interview after a practice session, Harbaugh mentioned that he had spoken to Kaepernick this past January, shortly after he rejoined the NFL, regarding a potential role with the Chargers, but since then, no developments have occurred on that front.

“Yeah, we had a brief conversation about it,” Harbaugh explained. “He is considering it. He was away during that time, and he mentioned he would get back to me. We haven’t touched base since that early point of the year.”

Kaepernick’s lack of follow-up appears to stem from his expressed intention to return to the field as a player. Despite not having played in the NFL for seven years—he believes he was sidelined due to his protests during the national anthem in 2016—he still aspires to regain his playing career.

Kaepernick, who took a stand against police violence and the killing of unarmed Black men, previously sued the NFL for collusion, reaching an undisclosed settlement. Throughout this time, he has maintained that he wishes to play football again.

“We’re still training, still pushing,” Kaepernick told Sky Sports. “So, hopefully, we just need one of these team owners to give us a chance.”

Harbaugh has consistently been one of Kaepernick’s staunchest champions, even organizing an open workout during a spring game at the University of Michigan while Kaepernick seemed out of favor with the NFL.

The relationship between them has always been strong, particularly as they achieved success together. When Harbaugh took over as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers in 2011, Kaepernick began his NFL journey with that team as a second-round draft pick from Nevada. In the 2012 season, they reached Super Bowl 47, ultimately losing to the Baltimore Ravens in a memorable game that featured Jim facing off against his brother John, marking the first time brothers coached against each other in a Super Bowl. The following season, they made it to the NFC championship game.

“He’s one of my all-time favorite players,” Harbaugh stated. “I have a lot of love for Colin.”

While Harbaugh is open to the possibility of bringing Kaepernick on as a coach or consultant in a Chargers staff that already has three former 49ers players who played under him (NaVorro Bowman, Jonathan Goodwin, and Will Tukuafu), he has not suggested giving Kaepernick the chance to restart his playing career. Harbaugh, through a team representative, opted not to comment on Kaepernick’s aspirations to play again when approached by YSL News Sports this week.

That’s the opportunity Kaepernick longs to hear about.

“This is what I’ve trained for my entire life,” Kaepernick mentioned to Sky Sports regarding the possibility of playing again. “Stepping back onto the field would be a significant moment and accomplishment for me. I believe I can contribute significantly to a team and help them win a championship.”

If Kaepernick proves he still has the necessary skills, the Chargers might benefit from having him as a backup to their starting quarterback, Justin Herbert.

Currently, Herbert is recovering from a plantar fascia injury in his right foot and is anticipated to be prepared for the September 8 game against the Raiders. Considering that the three other quarterbacks in training camp competing for backup positions—Easton Stick, Max Duggan, and Luis Perez—have not shown considerable promise, this might be an opportune moment to evaluate Kaepernick’s capabilities.

That is, if Harbaugh is willing to take an unconventional approach and examine if his former quarterback can still make an impact in a league where average backup quarterbacks abound.

Harbaugh’s honorable intent to entice Kaepernick back to the NFL in a coaching role might not suffice.

Harbaugh emphasized that Kaepernick’s problematic exit from the NFL, which the league ought to be embarrassed about, wouldn’t deter him from considering Kaepernick in a coaching position. The Chargers’ coach is acutely aware of Kaepernick’s reputation as a civil rights advocate and the respect he has within a considerable portion of the public.

“I regard him as a hero,” Harbaugh remarked. “Heroes work tirelessly, and he continues to be a hero. It’s not for me to dictate the path he chooses. That’s entirely his choice.”

Ultimately, if Kaepernick is determined to attempt a return to playing before considering Harbaugh’s coaching offer, Harbaugh may also find himself facing a tough decision.