Watch: Jim Harbaugh responds to question about Chargers job

Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh. Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK

Watch: Michigan HC Jim Harbaugh responds to question about Chargers job

By Colum Dell | Last updated 12/27/23

As the top-ranked Michigan Wolverines gear up to face No. 4 Alabama in the College Football Playoff semifinals, HC Jim Harbaugh's uncertain future continues to be a major topic of discussion.

Last week, Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reported that the Los Angeles Chargers "have interest in" hiring Harbaugh before adding that it was "unclear" whether the feeling was mutual. With an elite young quarterback in Justin Herbert, the Chargers make sense for Harbaugh, who played his final two NFL seasons for the team when they were in San Diego.

Since it would be such a logical fit, Harbaugh was ultimately asked about his interest in the job when speaking to reporters at his Rose Bowl news conference on Wednesday.

"[I have] just a very one-track mind about this game," Harbaugh said. "Right now, I'll just have fun with the family and the team and the players. We're at the happiest place on Earth. We're going to enjoy ourselves and then get back to business."

Video: ⁦@chengelis⁩ asking Jim Harbaugh about NFL rumors and me asking about #Chargers pic.twitter.com/3p4EO1RD0p
— Joe Reedy (@joereedy) December 27, 2023

Harbaugh adds that he'll continue to take a "one day at a time, one play at a time" approach as he and the Wolverines try to punch their ticket to the national championship game.

Despite his ambiguous response, Harbaugh's interest in returning to the pro level seems more serious than in past years. So much so that Michigan reportedly offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million extension, which includes a clause that would prevent him from taking an NFL job for the 2024 season.

However, Harbaugh could have limited options when it comes to NFL offers. In October, Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network reported that the league could force Harbaugh to serve a portion, or perhaps even all, of any potential suspension imposed by the NCAA for his involvement in the Wolverines' sign-stealing scandal.

Even so, considering that the Chargers have since expressed interest in Harbaugh, they'd probably be willing to overlook a potential suspension, especially since they're 30th in effective cap space for 2024 (-$52.3 million).

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