Nearly nine years after his last NFL snap, Colin Kaepernick has received a UFL offer that revives his comeback hopes.
Whaley told TMZ Sports that the UFL would “listen” if Kaepernick reached out. He framed it as a genuine opening, not a publicity play. “He knows we’re here,” Whaley said, adding that dialogue costs the league nothing and could set a path.
The UFL exists to give players live reps and tape. It also offers spring visibility to NFL scouts. For Kaepernick, that matters more than slogans, because gameplay trumps headlines when teams judge quarterbacks.
CFL opportunities also remain on the table. Different rules aside, the goal would be the same. Put recent throws on film, prove readiness, and force the conversation back to performance.
Kaepernick last played in 2016, the season he knelt during the anthem to protest racial injustice. He threw 16 touchdowns to four interceptions that year and added 468 rushing yards. The 49ers changed direction in 2017, and he became a free agent.
He then filed a grievance accusing NFL owners of collusion. An arbitrator allowed the case to proceed. In February 2019 he settled with the league and withdrew the claim, while continuing daily training and seeking a football route back.
That same year, the NFL arranged a workout in Atlanta. Colin Kaepernick moved the session to a nearby high school over transparency and waiver issues. Scouts from several teams attended, yet no deal followed.
Interest flickered later. He worked out for the Raiders in May 2022. In 2024, Jim Harbaugh revealed he offered Kaepernick a coaching role with the Chargers for 2025, which he declined. The player’s stance remained consistent. He wanted to play, not pivot.
Now the UFL offer shifts the landscape again. The league has opened the door. If Kaepernick accepts, he would finally control the narrative with new tape, timing, and tempo.
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