While Jim Harbaugh-to-NFL rumors are standard fare in January, there looks to be a bit more smoke surrounding the longtime Michigan HC’s connections to a pro return this year. The Broncos are believed to be interested, and Harbaugh appears more receptive to a jump.
If Harbaugh receives an offer, it is believed he will leave Michigan for the NFL, according to The Athletic. Of course, it would need to be a highly competitive offer that makes Harbaugh one of the NFL’s highest-paid coaches, but after Michigan’s CFP semifinal loss to TCU, rumors surrounding the Wolverines’ nine-year HC will be on tap. This latest round of Harbaugh buzz comes less than a month after he said he stay at Michigan for a 10th season.
Harbaugh, 59, met with the Vikings last year but was not offered the position. The Raiders were also connected to Harbaugh, but he ended up signing a new contract with Michigan. Time is running out for Harbaugh to chase an NFL job. The former quarterback would be among the league’s oldest HCs were he to jump back in, and February will mark 10 years since he matched up with brother John in Super Bowl XLVII. Not too many coaches have returned to the league after this long away.
NFL teams are taking the temperature on Harbaugh’s interest, Ian Rapoport of NFL.com offers (video link). Like Jon Gruden in 2018, Harbaugh will be a high-profile candidate. He looks to have at least two known suitors. The Broncos, who have missed on first-time head coaches since Gary Kubiak‘s exit, appear to be interested. They are believed to be prioritizing experience and want to interview the Michigan honcho. The Colts have been connected as well.
Harbaugh’s Michigan contract includes just a $3M buyout this year, per The Athletic. While the Wolverines can fire Harbaugh for cause if he goes through NFL interviews without informing the school’s athletic director, that seems unlikely to happen. Following the TCU loss, Harbaugh is 74-25 at his alma mater. The Wolverines, who had six- and seven-loss seasons in the two years before Harbaugh’s hire, have won the Big Ten in each of the past two years.
The Broncos are prepared to be “ultra aggressive” to land their preferred head coach. Their new ownership, which was not in place when Nathaniel Hackett was hired, has the league’s deepest pockets — by a wide margin — and hiring Harbaugh would not cost the team draft assets like a Sean Payton move would. The Colts, who rostered Harbaugh from 1994-97 after signing him in the early days of free agency, are also in need of coaching stability.
Both Denver and Indianapolis are retaining their current GMs — George Paton, Chris Ballard — so it would be interesting to see how Harbaugh would fit with an inherited GM. Clashes with Trent Baalke helped lead Harbaugh out of San Francisco. Denver’s next head coach, however, will report directly to Penner. Harbaugh only coached the 49ers for six years, but his .695 NFL win percentage is sixth in NFL history.
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