Former 49ers QB Colin Kaepernick endorses Jim Harbaugh for potential NFL return

The two came up three points short of the Baltimore Ravens in Super Bowl XLVII. Harbaugh left the 49ers to join Michigan following the 2014 season. Following Michigan’s national championship win on Monday, Harbaugh appears ready to rejoin the NFL to win an elusive Super Bowl.

Could Harbaugh’s quest to win the NFL’s greatest prize include Kaepernick?

Colin Kaepernick promotes Harbaugh

Mike Freeman with USA Today asked Kaepernick what he thought of a Harbaugh return to the league. Kaepernick is all for it:

"Colin Kaepernick was asked a simple question: What did he think of Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh possibly returning to the NFL? His answer was to the point," Freeman relayed. "'Harbaugh is the one coach you call,'" Kaepernick told USA TODAY Sports in a direct message on X, formerly Twitter, "'when you want to compete for a championship. Period.'”

Harbaugh criticized Kaepernick decision to protest before NFL games by kneeling during the National Anthem. However, Harbaugh didn’t think Kaepernick’s actions should keep him from playing in the league.

Harbaugh hosted a workout for Kaepernick during the 2022 Michigan spring game. That workout was more than two regular seasons ago.

Kaepernick still thinks he can play quarterback in the NFL – at least at the practice squad level. But maybe the 36-year-old former NFL quarterback should set his sights on another path into the league. Kaepernick can help teams by using more than his body.

Harbaugh must assemble a new staff if he accepts a job in the NFL again. Would Kaepernick be willing to give up his dreams of playing as a quarterback to become an assistant for Harbaugh to help teach younger players the game of football?

That could be Kaepernick’s best bet of helping out any team in the NFL in the future.