Colin Kaepernick plans to stand during the national anthem next season rather than continue to kneel in protest like he did last year, ESPN reported Thursday.

Sources told ESPN that Kaepernick said he doesn’t want his protest to detract from positive changes he has seen take place since last year. The sources did not elaborate on what the positive changes were, specifically, other than to say the amount of discussion on issues of social, racial, and economic justice had been important to him.

Critics pointed out that taking a less controversial stance might benefit Kaepernick as he leaves the San Francisco 49ers for free agency next week, with Ebenezer Samuel of the New York Daily News pointedly calling the quarterback a “hypocrite.”

"So much for the cause he once called 'bigger than football,' and so much for the anger he once had toward a flag that 'oppresses black people and people of color,'" Samuels wrote. Samuels went on to say Kaepernick couldn’t handle the struggle and caved in order to get another team to sign him.

Michael David Smith of NBC News’ ProFootballTalk was a bit nicer, but said it was “hard not to be cynical” about Kaepernick’s choice to give up his protest.

As usual, Twitter users had plenty to say about it.

Kaepernick will stand for anthem b/c he's seen positive change in America. What country is he living in? — mark (@mlnga) March 2, 2017

Colin Kaepernick says he will stand for the national anthem next season, mostly because it's too hard to kneel while sitting on your couch — NOTSportsCenter (@NOTSportsCenter) March 2, 2017

REPORT: Colin Kaepernick Will Stand For National Anthem This Season



*And then sit back down on the couch and watch the game on TV — Richard (@nowiknowmyabcs) March 2, 2017

"Hi, I'm Colin Kaepernick, and I'm principled about my beliefs until I need a job and money, and then I'm not. Also, I didn't vote." #NFL — Marty Mango (@marty_mango) March 2, 2017