It’s so funny how every year, a ton of rumors pop up about Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh possibly going to the NFL. Let’s be real. He wants to go back to the NFL. His last stint in the National Football League was when he coached the San Francisco 49ers for four straight season, from 2011 to 2014. He’s been with the University of Michigan ever since, but it seems like every time there a glimmer of hope that he can get back to the NFL, he runs with it. Well, those Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors are back.
That said, we all know that if Jim Harbaugh gets offered a head coaching position in the NFL, he’s going to take it. I mean, we don’t know for sure…but we know.
Well, those Harbaugh-NFL rumors are back and bigger than ever. This time around, two NFL teams in particular are apparently interested in Harbaugh. Oh, and another reason Harbaugh is probably extra interested in going back to the NFL is because of all the trouble he’s in with the sign stealing stuff at the University of Michigan. He couldn’t even be at their final regular season games. So, why not wash your hands of all of it and go back to the pros?
Let’s get into the Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors
According to NFL insider Dianna Russini, Harbaugh is being considered for two head coaching jobs in the NFL. On Wednesday (Nov. 29), she told Colin Cowherd on “The Herd” that Harbaugh’s name is highly “respected in league circles.” So, what NFL teams are considering Jim Harbaugh for coach? She says both the Panthers and the Bears are interested.
Regarding Carolina, Russini said, “You mentioned that David Tepper makes that firing last week with Frank Reich now out. If you remember, Tepper and Harbaugh had conversations last year. It obviously didn’t pan out, but this was something that they discussed, so that’s a name I’m hearing again.” Russini also said the Bears have ad “some conversations” about tapping Harbaugh, “depending on what decision they make with this coaching staff that is in place and of course what they do with that quarterback situation.” The Bears rumors were around last year, too, so if Harbaugh does go pro, I’d lean towards the Bears as his most likely landing. He’d have his hands full there, too. The Bears are struggling this year, although they did just pull off a surprise win against the Green Bay Packers on Monday Night Football earlier this week (Nov. 27).
Oh, and there’s more. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Harbaugh’s name is definitely being mentioned in the NFL right now. Fowler even says that “this might be the year” Harbaugh actually goes to the NFL. It seems like we’re always having this conversation at this time of the year, but I agree that the rumors seem more intense and real than in previous years.
The last time Harbaugh coached with the NFL was when he served as head coach for the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014. He’s been with the Wolverines ever since. We’ll keep you posted, as this is a developing story.