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The NFL Is Staying Quiet On Potential Jim Harbaugh Punishment

Originally posted on The Spun | By Tzvi Machlin | Last updated Aug 27, 2025 4:45 PM ET

The NCAA recently announced its decision on former Michigan head coach and current Los Angeles Chargers head coach Jim Harbaugh in the aftermath of the 2023 sign-stealing scandal. But while Harbaugh may have emerged with a show-cause order, the NFL has not punished him at all.

The NFL has a history of punishing people for breaking NCAA rules. In 2011, the league saw fit to suspend then-rookie quarterback Terrelle Pryor and then-staff assistant Jim Tressel for their roles in the scandal that crippled the Ohio State football program for several years.

As a result, the NCAA's findings has left many wondering (and some downright hoping) that the NFL act similarly draconian with the Chargers head coach.

But as ProFootballTalk's Mike Florio noted on Wednesday, the league is remaining silent on the matter. Florio reported that he specifically asked NFL Executive V.P. of Public Affairs and Policy, Player Health and Safety Jeff Miller about the matter but Miller said the league was "aware" of the decision but otherwise had no comment.

"On Wednesday, the NFL held a media conference call 'to preview the 2025 season and Kickoff Weekend in the U.S., Brazil, and around the world.' Since the Chargers host the Brazil game, and since Harbaugh will be there coaching the Chargers, I asked whether the league would be taking action, given the precedent set both as to Tressel and as to former Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor," Florio wrote.

"In response, NFL Executive V.P. of Public Affairs and Policy, Player Health and Safety Jeff Miller said that the league is aware of the NCAA’s decision, and that the league has no comment."

NFL remains mum on whether action will be taken against Chargers coach Jim Harbaugh following the NCAA's 10-year "show cause" order. https://t.co/pJAOkhvVMl
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) August 27, 2025

Punishments for the sign-stealing scandal

Harbaugh was issued a 10-year show-cause penalty restricting his ability to return to college coaching without institutional review.

Former Michigan staffer Connor Stalions received an eight-year show-cause order, effectively barring him from college athletics unless exonerated. Former assistant director Denard Robinson was given a three-year show-cause order.

As for then-assistant and current head coach Sherrone Moore he was penalized with a two-year show-cause and a three-game suspension—two games served through self-imposed measures in 2025, and one game to be served in 2026.

ANN ARBOR, MICHIGAN - JANUARY 13: Head Football Coach Jim Harbaugh of the Michigan Wolverines is seen onstage during the National Championship Celebration at Crisler Center on January 13, 2024 in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images)Aaron J. Thornton/Getty Images

But the more egregious thing to fans was the lack of more impactful punishments.

For starters, there was no postseason ban. Despite Level I‑Aggravated violations, the NCAA opted not to impose a playoff ban—protecting current players from bearing the impact of past misconduct. There also wasn't any vacating of victories or their national titles. As a result, Michigan retains its 2023 national championship and record.

It's easy to understand why fans are angry that Ohio State was nearly crippled as a football program back in 2011 with punishments even extending to the NFL, while Michigan gets to keep on chugging along.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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