Colin Kaepernick
Colin Kaepernick Issues Strong Opinion on His NFL Career 1
Colin Kaepernick believes his NFL career ended before he had the opportunity to reach his full potential. Looking back on his time in the league, the former San Francisco 49ers quarterback sees plenty of accomplishments but also believes there was significant room for further development.
Speaking on the Men’s Health Strong Talk podcast, Kaepernick reflected on what his career might have looked like had he remained in the NFL for another decade. He expressed confidence that he could have competed for a Super Bowl while continuing to develop as a quarterback, though he also acknowledged areas of his game that still needed improvement.
NFL, Colin KaepernickNFL, Colin Kaepernick
Apr 2, 2022; Ann Arbor, Michigan, USA; Colin Kaepernick passes during halftime at the Michigan Spring game at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Kaepernick pointed to the circumstances surrounding the final stages of his career as one reason he believes more progress was possible. During his final two seasons in San Francisco, the team went through two head coaches and two offensive coordinators, creating considerable changes around a quarterback who was still developing.
Injuries also complicated that period of his career. Kaepernick dealt with three injuries during those seasons, forcing him to spend valuable time recovering and working his way back into playing shape while also adjusting to new systems and coaching staffs.
Colin Kaepernick Shares Strong Take on His NFL Career
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneels during the national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY SportsOct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneels during the national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi's Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 6, 2016; Santa Clara, CA, USA; San Francisco 49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick (7) kneels during the national anthem before the game against the Arizona Cardinals at Levi’s Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kelley L Cox-USA TODAY Sports
Kaepernick shared a strong opinion revolving around his time playing in the league. This can be seen in an interview by Men’s Health’s Strong Talk podcast.
“If I’d played another 10 years, at this point we’d have at least a Super Bowl under our belt…I would say looking back at the career I had thus far, I think there were areas that we were exceptional at, but there’s also always areas that you’re like, ‘oh, I can get better here, I can get better there,” Kaepernick said.
“I was so early in my career when it came to an end, I don’t think I got to fully develop the way that I wanted to. Also my last two seasons we had two new head coaches. We had two new offensive coordinators. One of our head coaches was a defensive line coach prior to taking the head coach in position, which is unique….But then also during those seasons I had three injuries, so I was also recovering and coming back from those. Now, let’s say the end of the 2016 season with Chip Kelly, as I was getting healthier, you can see the trajectory of our stat line and that got better and better and better that final season, which became comparable to what we were doing in 2012. So for me, I think a lot of success there, but there’s so much more opportunity that was left on the table.”
The quarterback believes his final season provided evidence of what could have happened with more stability and time. As he became healthier under coach Chip Kelly in 2016, his production improved toward the end of the season and began resembling the level he reached earlier in his career, giving him reason to believe his best football was still ahead.
Kaepernick ultimately views his career as a mixture of meaningful success and unfinished potential. His reflections suggest that while he is proud of what he accomplished in the NFL, he also wonders what might have been possible with more continuity, better health and additional years to refine his game.