Jim Harbaugh has been negotiating a contract extension with Michigan this season, but there is one specific clause that might be holding up the deal.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported on Sunday that Harbaugh has been offered a 10-year, $125 million extension from Michigan. The 60-year-old coach’s current deal runs through 2026. However, the offer from Michigan includes language that prevents Harbaugh from flirting with NFL teams for at least another year.
According to Rapoport, the massive offer from Michigan includes a clause stating that Harbaugh cannot entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season. The clause would only be for one year, but it has reportedly been enough to make Harbaugh hesitate.
Michigan also offered Harbaugh a much shorter extension that is worth around $11 million per year and presumably does not have a “no-NFL” clause.
The NCAA is still investigating Michigan and Harbaugh over Connor Stalions’ sign-stealing scheme. While Harbaugh was suspended for the final three games of the regular season by the Big Ten, the NCAA could punish him further. That has almost certainly complicated contract talks between Harbaugh and Michigan as well.
However, Harbaugh does not know if he will be suspended in 2024. There has been talk that he could potentially be banned for the entire year. That might be a huge reason why Michigan wants him to commit to not speaking with NFL teams for at least another year.
Harbaugh, who had a successful run as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14, has entertained the idea of an NFL return the past two offseasons. He was linked to a new NFL team this week and is said to be a legitimate head coach candidate for at least one other.
It would be surprising if Harbaugh were to sign a massive extension with Michigan and then immediately begin talking to NFL teams, but the school wants contractual assurances that he won't do that.
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