New contract makes it easier for Harbaugh to leave for NFL?

Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh Trevor Ruszkowski-USA TODAY Sports

New contract makes it easier for Jim Harbaugh to leave Michigan for NFL?

By Zac Wassink | Last updated 2/17/22

Almost immediately after the Michigan Wolverines confirmed on Wednesday that head coach Jim Harbaugh had signed a "reworked" contract that now runs through the 2026 season, some wondered if the agreement carried a buyout that could allow him to return to the NFL after he heavily flirted with the Minnesota Vikings earlier this winter.

It appears that's the case.

ESPN's Heather Dinich reports Harbaugh will earn a base salary of $7.05 million for the upcoming campaign and could make up to $7.6 million for the 2026 season if he remains with the university on the deal through its expiration. However, Angelique Chengelis of The Detroit News notes the contract contains relatively inexpensive buyout clauses that shrink with each year.

Harbaugh contract buyout pic.twitter.com/t8QCWrgtwK
— angelique (@chengelis) February 17, 2022

As Nick Shook of the NFL's website pointed out, Ohio State Buckeyes head coach Ryan Day is on a similar deal.

NFL Network's Ian Rapoport further explained how the terms of Harbaugh's contract theoretically make it easy for him to put pen to paper with an NFL team as soon as next winter.

From NFL Now: The new contract signed by Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh does nothing to hold off NFL interest. pic.twitter.com/ri0abzKcrm
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) February 17, 2022

Harbaugh interviewed with the Vikings before the Super Bowl, but Minnesota ultimately went in a different direction and hired Los Angeles Rams offensive coordinator Kevin O'Connell. Earlier this month, Harbaugh admitted that losing Super Bowl XLVII to the Baltimore Ravens when he was head coach of the San Francisco 49ers left somewhat of a sour taste in his mouth and caused a potential "pull" back to pro football. He then added, though, that "this is the last time" he would consider leaving Michigan early for an NFL opportunity.

While Harbaugh said one thing with his words, his contract seems to tell a different tale about his future ambitions beyond the 2022 college football season.

More must-reads: