It’s that time of year again. The NFL season is almost over. Michigan is heading into the offseason. That means it’s time for rumors about Jim Harbaugh’s return to the NFL to really start heating up.
- Jim Harbaugh NFL news, rumors for 2024
- Harbaugh refuses to address future after title game
- Commanders interested in Harbaugh after firing Ron Rivera
- ‘Multiple teams’ investigate Harbaugh
- The hiring of Harbaugh’s agent could be of interest to the Raiders
- Chargers’ hiring of Harbaugh ‘has gained some traction’
- Harbaugh offered 10-year extension at Michigan
For several years, it has become an annual ritual for NFL teams to have interest in signing Harbaugh away from his alma mater and bringing him back to the pros. It always seems like Harbaugh shows some interest for a while and then ends up returning to coach the Wolverines.
Two offseasons ago, it looked like Harbaugh would end up on his way out. He interviewed with the Vikings, who ended up choosing Kevin O’Connell as the team’s next head coach. After, Harbaugh said he was done with his NFL jobs.
“Of course, the Super Bowl is the biggest award in our sport,” Harbaugh told the Detroit Free Press. “But winning a national championship is great. Let’s do it.”
“There was a pull toward the NFL because I was so close to the Super Bowl, but this was the time (to try to come back). And this is the last time. Now let’s go chase the biggest prize in college football.”
Well, mission accomplished. Michigan beat Washington to win its first national title since 1997, allowing Harbaugh to mark one of his career goals.
BENDER: Michigan beats everyone: No one could stop Jim Harbaugh’s national title team
That win only seems to make it more likely that Harbaugh will move on this time, as next season will likely be almost as tumultuous as a 2023 campaign in which he was suspended twice. The NCAA still has open investigations into Harbaugh for allegedly misleading NCAA investigators while investigating allegations that he met with recruits during the 2020 dead period, as well as the sign-stealing allegations for which the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh. Harbaugh at the end of the 2023 regular season.
The Wolverines could also end up facing a fair amount of roster changes, with several key contributors likely headed to the NFL Draft. On top of that, next season there will be a revamped Big Ten that will feature the additions of former Pac-12 teams Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, the Wolverines’ national championship opponent.
Will Harbaugh leave for the NFL? Here’s what he needs to know about the rumors surrounding his possible interest in decommitting from Michigan.
Jim Harbaugh NFL news, rumors for 2024
Harbaugh refuses to address future after title game
Harbaugh and everyone else knew it wouldn’t be long after the Wolverines’ win over Washington for the question to arise, and their answer wasn’t particularly surprising. When asked immediately after the title game about his future with Michigan and his possible move to the NFL, Harbaugh responded:
“I just want to enjoy this. I hope you give me that. Can a man have that? Does it always have to be what’s next, what’s the future?”
While that kind of response was to be expected, the questions will continue to come now that the NFL recruiting season is in full swing.
Commanders interested in Harbaugh after firing Ron Rivera
Jordan Schultz from Bleacher Report reports that the Commanders are among the teams interested in signing Jim Harbaugh. Boby Myers, who was hired to help lead Washington’s coaching search, has already communicated with Harbaugh’s new agent, Don Yee, about the Michigan coach’s status.
The Commanders are coming off a 4-13 season and have the second pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. So if Harbaugh wants a chance to draft his own quarterback, Washington could represent a sensible landing spot for he.
‘Multiple teams’ investigate Harbaugh
Jim Harbaugh has an advantage over other head coaching candidates: He can start talking to NFL teams at any time. Current NFL assistant coaches have to wait until after the divisional round of the playoffs. Harbaugh, not being an NFL coach, can talk to teams at any time.
And according to NFL+: The Insiders, several teams have already begun considering Harbaugh as a hire. Additionally, the report noted that Harbaugh has staff rosters and has looked at different openings as he begins looking for jobs after the national championship on Monday. The Chargers and Raiders are believed to be among those interested.
The hiring of Harbaugh’s agent could be of interest to the Raiders
On New Year’s Eve, it was reported that Harbaugh had hired Don Yee, a well-known agent who has represented NFL talents such as Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Many took that signing as a belief that Harbaugh intended to explore offers from NFL teams.
The Washington Post reported on Jan. 5 that sources involved in the NFL coaching hiring process believe Harbaugh’s hiring of Yee could be due to his interest in being considered for the Raiders’ head coaching job. The Raiders would have to make a decision on whether to pursue Harbaugh or retain interim coach Antonio Pierce.
Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career in Oakland as a quarterbacks coach in 2002 before being hired as San Diego’s head coach in 2004.
Chargers’ hiring of Harbaugh ‘has gained some traction’
When Brandon Staley was fired in early 2023, many were quick to link Harbaugh to Los Angeles and star quarterback Justin Herbert. According to ESPN’s Jeremy FowlerThe connection between the Chargers and Harbaugh “has gained some steam,” and Los Angeles reportedly conducted research on the Michigan head coach to see if he would be a fit.
The Chargers currently have interim coach Giff Smith guiding the team. Fowler reported that Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be viewed as a leading candidate for the Los Angeles job.
Harbaugh offered 10-year extension at Michigan
Michigan has made an effort to retain Harbaugh, although it has reportedly not yet accepted him. NFL.com reported that Michigan offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million extension, a deal that would put him among the highest-paid receivers in college football.
The deal includes a clause that would prohibit him from entertaining or accepting a job in the NFL until 2024, although that clause has reportedly been the stumbling block. The clause would not extend beyond the 2024 offseason.