San Francisco 49ers

Jim Harbaugh says Colin Kaepernick will 'win championships' in the NFL

Published Mar. 21, 2017 1:53 p.m. ET

Cameron DaSilva

Colin Kaepernick opted out of his contract with the San Francisco 49ers earlier this month, making himself a free agent. The quarterback likely hoped to land a more lucrative deal elsewhere, presumably with a starting job in another city.

That plan hasn’t gone accordingly as Kaepernick is still on the open market and generating little to no interest. His availability is likely due to a combination of teams shying away from his political views as well as his ineffectiveness as a quarterback. But one of his former coaches believes he can not only still play — he could win multiple titles.

“I’ll tell you the same thing I tell them: I think he’s an outstanding player and I think he’s a great competitor who has proven it in games and has the ability to be not only an NFL starter but a great NFL player,” former 49ers coach Jim Harbaugh said on PFT Live.

Harbaugh should know, as he coached Kaepernick for a few years. Not surprisingly, they were some of the best the quarterback has ever had: Kaepernick led the 49ers to the Super Bowl in 2012 and the NFC title game the following year, looking like the next great quarterback in the NFL.

Since then, however, Kaepernick has started just 35 games since, going an atrocious 11-24. But Harbaugh clearly is willing to put those ugly numbers aside and declare that Kaepernick would win multiple Super Bowls if he got another chance.

“He’ll have a great career and be a great quarterback, win championships,” Harbaugh said.