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Jim Harbaugh has become a hot candidate for vacant NFL head coaching positions after leading the Wolverines to a National Championship against the Washington Huskies. After all, there’s that thought of returning to the NFL because he has achieved the pinnacle of college football.
While Harbaugh’s return to the pros remains uncertain, some teams have been thrown into the mix of potential destinations. Here’s how teams looking for a tactician fare in the possibility of landing the former Pro Bowler.
Jim Harbaugh odds: Where will Michigan HC go?
While players like Maxx Crosby have campaigned for Antonio Pierce’s hiring as head coach, the Las Vegas Raiders might interest Harbaugh, especially if the price is right. The Raiders are one of the favorites after Harbaugh hired Don Yee as his agent.
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Yee was the agent of seven-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady, who is trying to acquire a minority ownership stake in the squad. Those connections make the likelihood of getting Harbaugh strong.
Likewise, the Washington Commanders’ opening could be appealing to Jim Harbaugh because of their massive cap space ($75.5 million) and tons of draft capital.
While there are young but talented players within the team recently purchased by the Josh Harris-led ownership group, figuring out the quarterback is their primary concern.
Jim Harbaugh to the Atlanta Falcons provides the easiest playoff path
The Falcons came up short of a playoff stint after finishing their third and final season with Arthur Smith at 7-10. Looking on the bright side, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers won the NFC South at 9-8, earning them a home playoff game during the Wild Card Round.
A few adjustments can help Atlanta win a wide-open division, and Jim Harbaugh is a master at finding room for improvement. His attention to detail can turn the Falcons into postseason participants by defeating the Buccaneers, the Carolina Panthers, and the New Orleans Saints.
Joining the Falcons will allow Harbaugh to work with talented players like Drake London, Bijan Robinson, and Kyle Pitts. However, figuring out the quarterback situation must be his priority if he takes over.
The Falcons’ opening gives Harbaugh a viable scenario of reaching the postseason every year. But why take a role with a team with fair cap space ($21 million) if you’ve proven before that you can win against tougher opposition?
Still, the possibility of Harbaugh joining the Falcons is low, given that there are better scenarios around the NFL. Besides, an ultimate competitor like him wouldn’t be satisfied in barely getting into the playoffs.
Will the Chicago Bears fire Matt Eberflus for Jim Harbaugh?
Multiple reports reveal that the Bears will retain Eberflus for the 2024 season. Guiding the team to four victories in their last six games might have helped him maintain the job. However, sources also reveal that the Bears will let go of Eberflus if they can land Jim Harbaugh.
If so, how will Chicago craft their pitch to lure Harbaugh? They can start with the number one pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, which they got via a trade with the Carolina Panthers. Depending on whether he believes Justin Fields will be their franchise quarterback, Harbaugh will have a say on what happens with that selection.
The Bears will also have $50 million in cap space and excellent players like DJ Moore, Cole Kmet, Montez Sweat, and Jaylon Johnson. Illinois’ proximity to Michigan could also be an enticing selling point for the job.
But unlike the Falcons, the competition in the NFC North gets a bit tougher with the Minnesota Vikings and playoff-bound teams Green Bay Packers and Detroit Lions.
However, firing Eberflus for him might not be Harbaugh’s cup of tea, especially with how his previous NFL coaching stint ended. Therefore, Harbaugh to the Bears is a long shot.
Jim Harbaugh can get payback by signing with the Seattle Seahawks
Harbaugh’s worst record in four seasons as San Francisco 49ers head coach is 8-8. Despite that average mark, team management decided to part ways with him. While the team’s ownership stated it was a mutual decision, Harbaugh felt the team abandoned him.
Now that he’s brought a National Championship to Michigan, returning to the NFL to chase a Super Bowl title is a plausible path. But in doing so, he can exact revenge on the 49ers by joining the Seattle Seahawks.
That scenario allows him to face his former team twice and release whatever grudge he might still have on how the team treated him on his way out. Aside from the emotional aspect, the Seahawks have a solid roster capable of achieving more.
While Pete Carroll won’t have a say in selecting the next head coach, chances are that the Seahawks will hire someone with ties to the franchise, like Dallas Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn. The 49ers angle might be attractive, but Jim Harbaugh to the Seahawks has a low chance of happening.
Can Jim Harbaugh turn the Los Angeles Chargers’ misfortunes around?
The Chargers are one of the frontrunners in potentially signing Jim Harbaugh if he decides to leave Michigan. It’s a good spot if the team can retain the talented players around Justin Herbert, especially Austin Ekeler and Gerald Everett.
An offensive-minded coach could help Herbert jump from a Pro Bowl to an All-Pro-level player. However, the Chargers must solve their defensive woes despite having Joey Bosa, Khalil Mack, and Derwin James Jr.
Unless they find a way to figure things out, the Chargers might lose some of their key players because they are $35.4 million over the cap. But getting the quarterback right can help patch other deficiencies around the roster.
Therefore, the Chargers job vacated by Brandon Staley is the most appealing among the teams mentioned. It won’t be surprising if Harbaugh leaves Michigan for Los Angeles’ AFC team.
