Colin Kaepernick, a second-round pick for the San Francisco 49ers in the 2011 NFL Draft, became a central figure in the team’s success until his departure. Despite his national football journey abruptly concluding due to social justice activism, Kaepernick fondly remembers his time with the 49ers.
During his impactful stint, Kaepernick garnered unwavering support from the then-head coach, Jim Harbaugh. This steadfast allegiance has endured, with Kaepernick expressing his deep admiration for Harbaugh and endorsing him as the epitome of the best head coach.
Colin Kaepernick shares candid thoughts on Jim Harbaugh
In a candid and direct message on social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, Colin Kaepernick, who makes his pitch to the New York Jets, shared his thoughts on the prospect of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh making a return to the NFL. When asked by USA Today about Harbaugh’s possible NFL comeback, Kaepernick’s response echoed with a resounding endorsement.
“Harghbaugh is the one coach you call when you want to compete for a championship,” Kaepernick conveyed.
This endorsement serves as a powerful vote of confidence in the coaching prowess of Jim Harbaugh, especially considering their history together.
Harbaugh holds a special place in Kaepernick’s NFL journey, as he was the head coach who provided Kaepernick with the opportunity to shine in the league, particularly with the San Francisco 49ers. The San Francisco team marked Harbaugh’s inaugural and, to date, only NFL head coaching role. During their collaborative stint, spanning three full seasons, Kaepernick showcased his talent in 48 games, including 39 starts.
Their collaboration reached its pinnacle in 2013, when they led the 49ers to the Super Bowl and made two appearances in NFC title games. Despite Kaepernick’s absence from the NFL since 2016, following his peaceful protest against police brutality during the National Anthem, Jim Harbaugh has consistently stood by him.
Harbaugh’s unwavering support for Kaepernick has extended beyond the NFL, as evidenced by Kaepernick being named the honorary team captain of Michigan.
Jim Harbaugh expected to return as HC in NFL
NFL Network Insiders Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero dropped a bombshell, disclosing that multiple NFL teams have been actively exploring the possibility of luring Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh back to the professional football realm, per NFL.com. This speculation gained momentum after Harbaugh recently enlisted the services of agent Don Yee.
Harbaugh, who transitioned from the NFL to Michigan in 2015, had previously asserted that he wouldn’t actively seek another NFL head coaching position. However, following Michigan’s triumph in the national championship, inquiries about his future plans immediately resurfaced. At that time, his answer was cryptic enough to be speculated on for his potential return to the NFL.
“I just want to enjoy this. I hope you give me that. Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be, ‘What’s next, what’s the future?'” Harbaugh candidly expressed this after the game.
Amid the recent developments, it’s worth noting that in November, both the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears were reportedly eyeing Harbaugh for potential coaching positions. Nevertheless, later, the Bears opted to retain Matt Eberflus. Yet, the Panthers are still in search of their next head coach, keeping the door open for a potential Harbaugh pursuit.
Apart from the Panthers, seven head coaching positions in the NFL are vacant. Among the eight teams that fired their head coach this season, only the New England Patriots filled the void left by Bill Belichick with Jerod Mayo.
Meanwhile, Harbaugh’s coaching tenure at Michigan spanned nine seasons, marked by notable achievements, including consecutive wins over arch-rival Ohio State and trips to the College Football Playoff in each of the past three seasons.
What’s your take on Harbough’s potential NFL career? Tell us your predictions in the comments.
