Will Colin Kaepernick return in 2025? His girlfriend’s update sparks hope among fans

Colin Kaepernick may have been absent from an NFL roster since the 2016 season, but his passion for football hasn't cooled — not even slightly. The former San Francisco 49ers quarterback, who ignited global conversations through his protest against racial injustice, continues to train rigorously in hopes of reigniting his NFL career. Now 37, Kaepernick’s unwavering determination and athletic discipline show that his desire to return is not rooted in nostalgia — it’s rooted in belief.

According to longtime partner Nessa Diab, Colin Kaepernick is still going all in. “He’s training all day, every day,” she told TMZ Sports, before adding, “it’s all up to the teams if they’ll let him [play].” This commitment isn’t for publicity or pity — it’s preparation. Despite the passing years and relentless rejections, Kaepernick hasn't moved on from football. He’s simply waiting for football to move back toward him.

Kaepernick’s last official NFL game was played on January 1, 2017, where he threw for 215 yards and a touchdown against the Seattle Seahawks. Since then, teams have stayed silent. While he had a workout with the Las Vegas Raiders in May 2022, it didn’t result in a contract. In 2023, following Aaron Rodgers’ Achilles injury, Kaepernick even reached out to the New York Jets, proposing a spot on their practice squad as a “risk-free contingency plan.”
“Worst case scenario, you see what I have to offer and you’re not that impressed,” he wrote in a letter to Jets GM Joe Douglas. “Best case scenario, you realize you have a real weapon at your disposal… I would wear that responsibility like a badge of honor.” Yet again, the call never came.
And when Jim Harbaugh — his former 49ers coach — publicly suggested they discussed a possible coaching role with the Chargers in 2024, Kaepernick denied the claim with clarity and humor. “I found out the same way everyone else did — on social media,” he said on The Tonight Show. “No, no coaching offer.”
Kaepernick has also addressed the public perception that time has dulled his athletic ability. In a 2023 Sports Illustrated interview, he emphasized, “I looked forward to being judged by talent, not political bias.” He still stands firm in his belief that kneeling during the national anthem for racial justice led to him being blackballed — not his performance.
There’s no doubt Kaepernick’s stats back up his case. With 12,271 career passing yards, 72 touchdowns, and just 30 interceptions, he remains one of the more efficient quarterbacks in recent league history. He also led the 49ers to a Super Bowl appearance in 2014 — an achievement not easily forgotten by San Francisco fans. His 69-58 regular-season record speaks to his consistency and competitiveness.
But what truly sets Kaepernick apart is that he’s no longer just a quarterback — he’s a symbol. A symbol of resistance, courage, and conviction. Very few athletes have sacrificed as much for a cause they believe in. And even fewer have kept training for nearly a decade without the guarantee of another shot.
In a league where injuries are constant and quarterback depth is always tested, it’s not far-fetched to believe that a door could still open. Every offseason and midseason shake-up sparks speculation, and each year, the question quietly resurfaces: Will Colin Kaepernick get the call?
His journey is far from over. Whether the ending includes a triumphant return to the field or simply the recognition of a career unfairly interrupted, Kaepernick’s story continues to matter — not just to fans, but to history.
Until that call comes, Colin Kaepernick remains prepared — training daily, driven by both talent and purpose. And the NFL world is still watching.
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