Afters years of controversy, Kaepernick says he's willing to return to NFL as backup

Although former quarterback Colin Kaepernick has dreamed of returning to the NFL, he recently admitted that he would accept a backup position if it means he can get once again get his foot in pro-football’s door.

Speaking with ex-NFL players Chad Johnson, Adam “Pacman” Jones, and Brandon Marshall on an episode of the “I AM ATHLETE” podcast, the national anthem protester spoke about his dreams of returning to the gridiron.

When asked by Marshall if he was willing to return to the sport in a backup role as opposed to starting, Kaepernick said he would absolutely consider that, TMZ sports reported.

“I know I have to find my way back in. So, if I have to come in as a backup, that’s fine,” Kaepernick said.

“But that’s not where I’m staying. And when I prove that I’m a starter, I want to be able to step on the field as such. I just need that opportunity to walk through the door,” he added.

Since exiting the NFL in 2016, the former quarterback has been working out with several NFL receivers in an attempt to show that he is ready to play if called upon.

Kaep is throwing on his IG live pic.twitter.com/60yMeMzc0v

— Jason Aponte (@JasonAponte2103) March 14, 2022

Although he now says he’s willing to return in a backup role, he previously turned down an offer from the San Francisco 49ers to stay on the team because he wanted higher pay. He has since turned down several other offers.

Kaepernick came to the national spotlight in 2016 after deciding to kneel for the national anthem and making statements comparing the NFL to “slavery.”  

Colin Kaepernick compares the NFL combine, which allows all players of all races a voluntary chance to become multi-millionaires, to slavery. Anyone still defending this imbecile lacks a functional brain. pic.twitter.com/rMaKi7c6xh

— Clay Travis (@ClayTravis) October 30, 2021