Raise your hand if you’ve read this before. Jim Harbaugh heading back to the NFL. It seems like a broken record. Every year around this time, rumors circulate that the embattled and successful Michigan Wolverines head coach could return to the professional ranks.
But it feels a bit different this time around. Harbaugh is embroiled in a sign-stealing scandal that saw him suspended for the final three games of the Michigan regular season. He was suspended to open the season for recruiting violations. A legal battle could be coming. All of this is happening with Michigan vying for a spot in the College Football Playoff for the third consecutive season.
We’re now hearing Harbaugh being linked directly to two NFL teams who could have openings once the 2023 season comes to a conclusion.
Mike Jones of The Athletic is reporting that Harbaugh is among the names “expected to receive consideration in the next hiring cycle.” He points to the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders as two teams who would interest the much-maligned head coach.
Harbaugh, 59, making his way back into the NFL has always seemed to be in the cards. He enjoyed a ton of on-field success with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, leading them to a 44-19-1 record with two NFC Championship Games and a Super Bowl appearance. A rift with CEO Jed York prematurely ended Harbaugh’s run in Northern California.
Related: NFL reportedly unlikely to help Jim Harbaugh ‘escape’ Michigan Wolverines scandal in 2024
Jim Harbaugh as a fit for the Las Vegas Raiders, Chicago Bears
Las Vegas fired head coach Josh McDaniels eight games into the 2023 season. It has long been linked to Harbaugh. That includes seriously considering hiring him before turning to McDaniels ahead of the 2022 season.
The broader question here is whether Vegas is even going to be in the market for a head coach. Interim guy Antonio Pierce has led the Raiders to a 2-0 record since replacing McDaniels. He has certainly changed the culture and locker room atmosphere in Sin City.
There is a decent chance Pierce will be given the Raiders’ full-time gig if this success continues moving forward. Owner Mark Davis might not want to make the same mistake he made back in 2021 when Rich Bisaccia led the Raiders to a playoff appearance after replacing Jon Gruden in-season. Instead of retaining Bisaccia, Davis went with the splashy hire.
- Jim Harbaugh college record: 113-46, 9 bowl appearances
As you can see, Harbaugh has a track record of success both at the college and professional ranks. Despite the notes above, he’d be appealing to the Raiders. It’s also important to note that Harbaugh began his professional coaching career with the then-Oakland Raiders working with quarterback Rich Gannon back in 2002.
The Bears are also another interesting possibility. It remains to be seen if head coach Matt Eberflus will be retained. Chicago sits at 3-7 on the season and has lost 21 of 27 games under Eberflus.
Quarterback Justin Fields’ future in Chicago is also up in the air. With the Bears likely set to have two of the top-five picks in the 2024 NFL Draft, it makes sense to start anew with a different power structure. That could include moving off both Eberflus and general manager Ryan Poles. In fact, rumors have pointed in this direction.
Related: Top candidates to become new Chicago Bears head coach
“(President) Kevin (Warren) has seen enough to clean it out. It’s my understanding that he has the power to do it, and the coach and GM can’t go around him to ownership,” Jason La Canfora report from back in September.
As with the Raiders, Harbaugh is no stranger to the Bears’ organization. Chicago selected him in the first round of the 1987 NFL Draft. Harbaugh ended up playing quarterback under Mike Ditka and Dave Wannstedt for seven seasons. The Bears definitely make sense.