One of the most controversial figures in the history of the NFL, Colin Kaepernick is still attempting to make a return to the league—what form that comeback could take, though, is the question.
Among the quarterback's most loyal supporters throughout his career has been Jim Harbaugh, Kaepernick's former head coach on the 49ers and current head coach of the Chargers.
Harbaugh has been vocal about the potential he sees in Kaepernick, both in his attempt at returning to the league as a player and as a prospective coach. As he builds his team for the upcoming year, the coach mentioned that he was in touch with the 36-year-old about a position on his staff.
However, after the Chargers' practice on Thursday, Harbaugh confirmed his coaching staff is set for this year and Kaepernick will not be a member. The former Michigan coach did emphasize, though, that he still believes Kaepernick would be a solid addition should coaching be the route he chooses.
"I have thought that for a long time. Just the respect that I have for the football mind he has and the football man that he is," Harbaugh said Thursday. "[Late Raiders owner] Al Davis saw something in me that made him think I would be a good coach, and I see those same qualities in Colin. If it is something he chooses."
Here's everything to know about Harbaugh's connection to Kaepernick, including why the Chargers head coach offered a coaching job to the former quarterback.
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Jim Harbaugh's connection to Colin Kaepernick, explained
Harbaugh drafted Kaepernick to the 49ers early in the second round of the 2011 NFL Draft. The quarterback spent six years in San Francisco, replacing Alex Smith at the helm in November 2012 after the starter went down with a concussion.
Following Kaepernick's third season in the league, Harbaugh left to coach at the University of Michigan. The quarterback failed to impress new head coach Jim Tomsula, who benched Kaepernick for Blaine Gabbert after Week 8 of the 2015 season.
Kaepernick became a free agent at the end of the 2016 season and could not land another job after finding himself in hot water because of his on-field activism. In 2019, the quarterback reached a confidential settlement with the NFL, which he accused of colluding to keep him out of the league.
Throughout Kaepernick's exile, fueled by his decision to kneel during the national anthem in protest of police brutality, Harbaugh remained vocal in his praise of the quarterback's abilities. Though he initially did not support the act of kneeling, he supported Kaepernick's motivation to do so. And in the wake of the 2020 protests against the murder of George Floyd, Harbaugh said the quarterback was "on the right side" of social justice.
Their relationship has remained close throughout the years, with Harbaugh helping Kaepernick in his late attempts to re-enter the league. In 2022, the Michigan coach named Kaepernick an honorary captain for the Wolverines' spring game. Additionally, the quarterback participated in a throwing exhibition at halftime in an attempt to draw the attention of NFL scouts.
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Why Jim Harbaugh offered coaching position to Colin Kaepernick
The prospect of Kaepernick joining Harbaugh's coaching staff is not new. The idea first arose the same year he threw during the Michigan spring game, when Harbaugh was up for a head coaching job with the Minnesota Vikings.
While that NFL return didn't work out for Harbaugh or Kaepernick, the former was hired in January as the Chargers' new head coach. The 60-year-old recently told USA Today that in January of this year he spoke to Kaepernick about joining his staff in Los Angeles in a non-playing role.
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Though the quarterback said recently he is still training in hopes that an NFL opportunity could arise, he considered Harbaugh's offer, the coach said.
“If that was ever the path he was to take, I think that would be tremendous,” Harbaugh told USA Today Sports. “I see him as a hero. Heroes get no days off. And he’s being a hero right now and he’s not getting any days off. It’s not for me to choose what path he takes. That’s his decision.”