NFL Rumors: Michigan’s Jim Harbaugh Examined HC Openings amid Raiders, Chargers Buzz

Adam WellsJanuary 9, 2024

Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

As the confetti continues to settle on Michigan’s victory in the College Football Playoff Championship, Jim Harbaugh has been preparing for a potential return to the NFL.

Per NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero (starts at 1:40 mark), Harbaugh has already examined openings for the Las Vegas Raiders and Los Angeles Chargers.

Tom Pelissero @TomPelisseroFrom @gmfb: A look at some of the hot head coaching candidates in this hiring cycle, including Ben Johnson, Aaron Glenn, Dan Quinn … and, yes, Jim Harbaugh. @nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/lrn8vRIDAB

Harbaugh is in a position of extreme leverage no matter what he decides to do. NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport reported two weeks ago that Michigan extended him a contract offer of 10 years and $125 million, but it contains a clause that would prevent him from entertaining or accepting an NFL job for the 2024 season.

Rapoport also noted the Wolverines have a “far shorter” offer on the table to Harbaugh worth about $11 million per season.

The Raiders and Chargers have been among the most popular landing spots for Harbaugh if he goes to the NFL.

Rapoport and Pelissero reported over the weekend the Raiders “might” speak with Harbaugh, while the Chargers are “among the teams at least considering speaking” with him.

Carolina Panthers owner David Tepper met with Harbaugh last offseason, but The Athletic’s Dianna Russini reported on Dec. 23 that Tepper is “unlikely” to pursue the 60-year-old this time around.

Both the Raiders and Chargers fired their coaches during the season. Josh McDaniels was let go by Las Vegas on Oct. 31 after a 3-5 start. Brandon Staley was fired on Dec. 15, one day after the Chargers’ 63-21 loss to the Raiders.

Maxx Crosby and Davante Adams have publicly vouched for Antonio Pierce to get the full-time job in Las Vegas after going 5-4 as interim head coach when he replaced McDaniels.

Harbaugh hasn’t coached in the NFL since parting ways with the San Francisco 49ers after the 2014 season. He went 44-19-1 in four seasons with the Niners.

Since being hired at the University of Michigan in December 2014, Harbaugh has led the program to an 88-25 record. The Wolverines have won three consecutive Big Ten titles and defeated Washington on Monday night to win their first national title since 1997.