Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh will renew their coaching rivalry on Sunday

Nine years after they last met in the NFL, Sean Payton and Jim Harbaugh have both interviewed for the Denver Broncos' head coaching career opening in 2023.

Harbaugh appeared to be owner/CEO Greg Penner's first choice, but Harbaugh decided to stay at Michigan for another season. Denver then hired Payton.

After winning a national championship with the Wolverines, Harbaugh decided to return to the NFL this year and join the Los Angeles Chargers. He will now face Payton when the Broncos host the Chargers on Sunday.

During his media release on Wednesday, Payton was asked if he wanted to compete with Harbaugh for Denver's opening in 2023.

“I didn’t know – I just read what you guys read,” Payton said. “I didn’t know who the other candidates were. I knew they were interviewing a number of other candidates.

“I thought about the other teams I visited. No, I had no idea. Honestly, I didn't know. It was really more about the different teams I went to and making sure it was the right decision for me.”

Harbaugh was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. During that span, he went 3-1 in four games against the New Orleans Saints, including a 2-1 win against Payton (who was suspended in 2012 when San Francisco beat San Francisco 31-21).

“He’s a fantastic coach,” Payton said of Harbaugh. “Obviously his success at both the NFL and college levels speaks for itself. I was excited that he got a job in our league, but not so much in our division. He’s doing a great job.”

Payton and the Saints lost 36-32 to the 49ers in the divisional round of the 2011 NFL playoffs. Two seasons later, New Orleans defeated San Francisco 23-20. They met again in 2024 and the 49ers won 27-24 in overtime.

“They do a great job,” Payton said when asked about the attributes of a Harbaugh-coached team. “If you look at his entire career as a professional coach, the turnover margin is off the charts. They protect the ball, are smart and well trained. They always have a balance in terms of running and throwing the football.

“All the things we do sometimes – all the things that are necessary to build a team, and he did that wherever he was. When you go back to USD – University of San Diego – it’s just not a coincidence.”

Harbaugh has a 144-52 record as a coach at the college level and is 46-21-1 in the NFL. Payton has a 163-100 record, including an 11-11 record with the Broncos. Payton is aiming for win No. 12 on Sunday when he takes on Harbaugh, this time as a division rival.