Colin Kaepernick is not playing football because he has remained unsigned since leaving the NFL after the 2016 season, despite being under contract with the San Francisco 49ers in 2017. His absence stems from a combination of on-field performance debates, league-wide protest activity tied to his national anthem kneeling, and ongoing disputes regarding potential blacklisting. This evergreen explainer outlines Kaepernick’s last NFL season, his legal and activism trajectory, and the structural factors shaping his status today.
Kaepernick’s Final NFL Season and Departure
2016 Season Performance and Free Agency
In his last season as a full-time starter, Kaepernick led the 49ers to a 15–1 regular-season record in 2013 and maintained strong statistical production through 2015. In 2016, he began the season as starter but was benched in favor of backup Blaine Gabbert after inconsistent play and team struggles. He finished the 2016 season with 2,241 passing yards, 16 touchdowns, and 5 interceptions over nine starts. Following the season, he elected to become a free agent instead of accepting a restructured deal, a decision that complicated his marketability.
Post-Season Free Agency and Protest Context
Entering the 2017 free agency period, Kaepernick’s on-field metrics remained solid, yet no NFL team signed him to a contract. His decision to kneel during the national anthem in 2016 and 2017 to protest racial injustice and police brutality became a defining factor in team evaluations, per league sources and reports from that period. Team owners cited concerns about locker room dynamics and fan perception, even as Kaepernick maintained he would accept financial terms comparable to a quality backup. This impasse created a prolonged period without an NFL opportunity.
Activism, National Anthem Protests, and League Dynamics
Origins of the Kneeling Protest
Kaepernick originally sat on the bench during the anthem in 2016 to honor a fallen soldier and protest racial oppression. After consulting with former NFL player Nate Boyer, he shifted to kneeling, a form of expression he described as peaceful and grounded in military tradition. His actions inspired a wave of player-led protests across the league, prompting intense public and political debate.
League and Team Responses
In 2018, the NFL adopted a policy encouraging players to stand during the anthem while allowing on-field demonstrations during social justice initiatives. Club executives privately expressed concern that signing Kaepernick might trigger fan backlash and media distraction. Multiple team visits and workouts occurred, yet no contract followed, fueling perceptions of coordinated resistance.
Owners referenced potential impacts on revenue, sponsorships, and fan engagement, while Kaepernick’s camp emphasized contractual rights and antitrust considerations.
Legal Action, Settlement, and Antitrust Questions
Collusion Allegations and Lawsuit
Key Legal and Financial Milestones
In March 2017, Kaepernick filed a grievance accusing teams of colluding to keep him out of the league. The case moved to arbitration, where he challenged the collective bargaining agreement’s framework. In November 2017, he withdrew the grievance after receiving a confidential settlement from the NFL. The terms were not disclosed, though reports indicated a structured payment rather than a large lump sum.
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Last NFL Season | 2016 (San Francisco 49ers) | Team and league records |
| 2017 Free Agency Status | Unsigned; no 2017 contract offer accepted | Team statements and NFL transactions |
| Anthem Protest Start | August 2016 (kneeling adopted mid-September 2016) | On-field video and interviews |
| Grievance Filed | March 2017 | Legal filings and league sources |
| Settlement With NFL | November 2017; confidential terms | League and union statements |
Post-NFL Career and Public Impact
Media, Business, and Community Work
Since leaving the NFL, Kaepernick has focused on activism, media appearances, and entrepreneurial ventures. He founded Know Your Rights Camp, which provides education and resources to underserved youth. He also partnered with media companies for documentaries and digital content that amplify conversations around race, criminal justice, and economic empowerment. On the business side, he has engaged in philanthropy and brand collaborations aligned with his values.
Reception and Public Opinion
Public opinion on Kaepernick remains divided. Supporters view him as a pioneering activist who brought attention to systemic inequality, while critics argue his on-field performance and anthem stance diminished his professional credibility. Polling data from his peak years and after his departure reflects strong partisan and generational divides in perception.
Path Back to Football and Current Status
Workouts, Visits, and Franchise Interest
Kaepernick participated in individual workouts and team visits after 2017, including a highly publicized session with a division rival in 2019. Some teams acknowledged evaluating him, but none extended a contract offer. Team decision-makers often cited organizational culture, fan sentiment, and depth chart considerations among their reasons. As of the most recent seasons, he remains unsigned and out of the league.
Speculation on Future Opportunities
Occasional rumors about comeback attempts, including potential short-term contracts or alternative leagues, have surfaced, but Kaepernick has not committed to returning to on-field play. His current focus appears to center on activism, media projects, and long-term ventures outside the traditional NFL structure. Unless league conditions or team dynamics shift significantly, his return to game action is considered unlikely.
FAQ
Reader questions
Is Colin Kaepernick still looking for an NFL opportunity?
As of the latest available information, he has not signed with an NFL team since 2017 and shows no public indication of actively pursuing a roster spot, though he has not ruled out all football-related opportunities.
Did kneeling during the anthem end his career?
While his national anthem stance contributed to a polarized public image and influenced some team evaluations, multiple factors—including performance, marketability, and internal league dynamics—shaped the prolonged absence from the league.
Did Kaepernick receive a settlement from the NFL?
Yes, he reached a confidential settlement with the NFL in November 2017 after withdrawing his collusion grievance. The specifics of the agreement were not made public.
What is Kaepernick doing now?
He is primarily engaged in activism, media content, and business initiatives, including Know Your Rights Camp and partnerships focused on education, civic engagement, and social justice.
Could he still return to the NFL?
Technically possible if teams perceive value and league conditions change, but currently no team has offered him a contract, and he has not signaled immediate plans to return to game action.