If you still expect to see Colin Kaepernick in a 49ers jersey or leading a two-minute drill on Sundays, you’re basically living in 2016. It has been a decade. Ten years since the kneeling started, the league froze him out, and the world seemingly split in two over a sideline protest.
Honestly, the "is he coming back?" narrative is the most tired thing in sports media. Every time a starting quarterback goes down with a torn ACL—most recently when the Colts had a crisis in late 2025—Kaepernick’s name starts trending on X. Fans scream about him being blackballed. Critics point to his age.
But what is Colin Kaepernick doing now, really?
He isn't sitting by the phone waiting for Roger Goodell to call. He’s busy building a tech empire, selling multi-million dollar real estate, and trying to change how kids in Maryland write stories using artificial intelligence. He’s a father now. He’s a CEO. And yeah, he’s still training like he’s got a game on Monday, even if that game never comes.
The AI Pivot: Lumi and the Future of Storytelling
The biggest shocker for most people isn't that Kap is still "activist-ing." It’s that he’s gone full Silicon Valley.
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In late 2024, he launched Lumi, an AI-powered storytelling platform. He didn't just slap his name on it for a paycheck; he's the Founder and CEO. The company raised about $4 million in seed funding, led by Alexis Ohanian’s venture capital firm Seven Seven Six.
Think about that for a second. The guy who was once the most polarizing figure in football is now pitching venture capitalists on "democratizing narrative creation."
Why AI?
Basically, Kaepernick saw how hard it was for independent creators—especially those from marginalized backgrounds—to get their stories published and merchandised. Lumi is his answer. It’s a tool that helps people generate images, draft scripts, and basically turn a "kinda cool idea" into a finished comic book or graphic novel.
By early 2026, this wasn't just a pet project. Prince George’s County Public Schools in Maryland actually started piloting the Lumi program. Kap himself showed up at Largo High School recently to hang out with students who are using his AI to build their own graphic novels. He’s leaning into the "literacy through tech" angle hard.
The NYC Exit and Personal Life
If you want a pulse check on someone’s life, look at where they live.
Just this week, in mid-January 2026, news broke that Kaepernick finally sold his Tribeca condo in New York City. He got about $2.8 million for it. Fun fact: he actually lost money on the deal, having bought it for over $3.2 million back in 2016.
He’s clearly closing chapters. He and his partner, Nessa Diab, have a daughter who was born in 2022. They’ve become a lot more private lately. You don't see the constant media blitzes anymore. It’s more about the work—the Know Your Rights Camp, the publishing house, and the kid.
Is the NFL Dream Dead?
Here is the awkward truth: Kaepernick still says he wants to play.
In late 2025, his girlfriend Nessa told reporters that he’s still training "all day, every day." He’s 38 years old now. In NFL years, that’s basically ancient for a dual-threat QB who hasn't taken a live hit in nine seasons.
When Philip Rivers—who is 44 and a grandfather—got a workout with the Colts in December 2025, the internet lost its mind. Why Rivers and not Kaep? The debate reignited the "blackballed" conversation for the millionth time.
But let’s be real.
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- He hasn't played since January 1, 2017.
- He’s 38.
- He has a multi-million dollar business to run.
While he tells outlets like Sky Sports that he still believes he can win a championship, the logistics just don't add up anymore. He’s turned down offers from the UFL and other "minor" leagues because, in his mind, it’s NFL or nothing. Most scouts agree: that ship hasn't just sailed; it’s at the bottom of the Atlantic.
The Kaepernick Publishing Machine
While the NFL door stayed shut, Kaepernick decided to just build his own door. Kaepernick Publishing is a legitimate force in the book world now.
They’ve partnered with Scholastic to drop children’s books like We Are Free, You & Me, which he co-authored with Nessa. He’s also published graphic novels about his own life, like Change the Game, which focuses on his high school years choosing football over baseball.
He’s shifted from being the subject of the news to being the distributor of it. By focusing on "Abolition for the People" and Black studies, he’s maintained his activist roots without needing a platform from a league that doesn't want him.
What You Should Take Away
It’s easy to get caught up in the "hero or villain" trope with Colin Kaepernick. But the 2026 version of the man is a lot more complex than a guy kneeling on a sideline.
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- He’s a Tech Founder: Lumi is a serious play in the EdTech and AI space. If it scales to more school districts, he becomes a major player in education.
- He’s an Author/Publisher: He’s figured out how to monetize his message without needing a Nike ad or an NFL contract.
- The Football Thing is a Ghost: He might still be in the gym at 5:00 AM, but his impact on the world is now happening in boardrooms and classrooms, not end zones.
If you’re looking to follow his path—or at least understand the hustle—watch the Lumi pilot results in Maryland. That’s the real indicator of his future. He’s betting big that AI can give a voice to the kids who feel just as unheard as he did back in 2016.
Stop checking the NFL injury reports for his name. Start checking the tech headlines. That’s where the actual "comeback" is happening.
Actionable Insights:
- If you're interested in the intersection of AI and creativity, keep an eye on the Lumi beta updates for independent creators.
- For educators, the results of the PGCPS pilot program (running through June 2026) will be a case study in using generative AI for student literacy.
- Check out Kaepernick Publishing’s latest roster if you want to see how he's using his settlement money and business acumen to amplify new authors.