The Minnesota Vikings and Los Angeles Chargers reportedly talked trade leading up to the 2024 NFL draft, but after they were unable to come to terms on a deal, speculation arose regarding Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh's potential involvement.

According to ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, an anonymous NFL executive wondered if Harbaugh may have taken a "stubborn" stance in trade talks with the Vikings after they passed him over for their head coaching vacancy in 2022.

The Vikings interviewed Harbaugh, but they hired Kevin O'Connell instead. The situation worked out well for Harbaugh, though, as he went back to the University of Michigan for two more seasons, reaching the College Football Playoff twice and winning a national title last season.

L.A. entered the draft with the No. 5 overall pick, putting it in an advantageous position. The Chargers did not need a quarterback with Justin Herbert already on the roster, meaning they could shop the pick to quarterback-needy teams.

However, they may have lost some of their bargaining power when quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye went off the board as the top three picks.

After the Arizona Cardinals took Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. with the fourth overall pick, the Chargers stayed at No. 5 and took Notre Dame offensive tackle Joe Alt, giving them arguably the most promising offensive tackle duo in the NFL between Alt and Rashawn Slater.

The Vikings watched as another quarterback was taken eighth overall when the Atlanta Falcons selected Michael Penix Jr., leaving only two potential first-round quarterbacks on the board.

In a likely effort to prevent the Denver Broncos from trading ahead of them, the Vikings moved up one spot from No. 11 to No. 10 in a trade with the New York Jets to secure J.J. McCarthy.

Coincidentally, Harbaugh coached McCarthy at Michigan, and they went undefeated and won a national championship together in 2023.

Unless the Vikings wanted Penix, they may have gotten their guy by moving up only one spot rather than five.

As for Harbaugh and the Chargers, Alt solidifies their offensive line and should go a long way toward giving Herbert more time to throw.