Right now, Jim Harbaugh and Michigan are engaged in a game of Let’s Make A Deal!, and it’s possible that Harbaugh is holding back to see what could be behind Door No. 2.
According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Media, Michigan has extended an offer to Harbaugh for a deal worth $125 million spread over ten years. with just one snag. He is not eligible to apply for or accept a position in the NFL for 2024.
Harbaugh, whose current contract expires in 2026, has been offered a “far shorter” contract at $11 million per year. Whether the agreement includes a no-NFL restriction for 2024 is unclear.
Even while the coaching wheel won’t start turning for another two weeks, Harbaugh has undoubtedly received backchannel hints from teams that don’t now have a vacancy but soon will. He might have also received communication from the Chargers, Raiders, or Panthers, among other teams.
Harbaugh, who coached the 49ers from 2011 to 2014, would be wise to carefully consider his NFL options before agreeing to a contract that would keep him out of the league until 2024. Why not just pledge that he won’t go if he isn’t going anyway?
In each of the last two offseasons, Harbaugh has been interviewed for NFL jobs. In 2022, he came to Minnesota to interview for a position with the Vikings. Last year, Broncos owner Greg Penner traveled to Michigan to do an interview with Harbaugh.
Harbaugh was rumored to be interested in the Chargers position last year. The Chargers’ position did not become available. It is this year. It would also make sense for the Chargers and Harbaugh to work together.
Be the first to comment