Jim Harbaugh close to landing NFL job?
Dec 31, 2022; Glendale, Arizona, USA; Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh before the 2022 Fiesta Bowl against the TCU Horned Frogs at State Farm Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
Jim Harbaugh may be on the verge of officially returning to the NFL.
Harbaugh was in Los Angeles on Tuesday for a second interview with the Chargers. According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Chargers have made Harbaugh an “extremely strong offer,” and the two sides are expected to begin discussing details like staffing.
Garafolo believes Harbaugh and the Chargers could reach an agreement in the near future.
“It feels like we’re now in the zone where something could happen between the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in the near future. My understanding is this is an extremely strong offer that they have made to him financially,” Garafolo said. “They’re now at the point where they’re gonna discuss staffing when it comes to general manager and obviously coaching staff, who’s gonna work alongside Harbaugh as well. This feels like advancing to the point where if everybody’s comfortable with a lot of the principle factors at play, that this team could move on Jim Harbaugh and try to get him under contract here in the near future.”
Garafolo added that the talks have advanced to the point where it is clear Harbaugh is not just using the NFL for leverage in contract discussions with Michigan. You can hear more below:
From The Insiders on #NFLPlus and @nflnetwork: The #Chargers and Jim Harbaugh are now in striking distance of getting a deal done as Harbaugh is in LA today for another meeting with the team. pic.twitter.com/YJhNzRzOcP
— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) January 23, 2024
Harbaugh is also scheduled to have a second interview with the Atlanta Falcons this week. It is possible that meeting might not happen if things continue to go well between Harbaugh and the Chargers.
If Harbaugh is set on leaving Michigan to coach in the NFL again, you can understand why the Chargers job would appeal to him. Harbaugh has strong ties to California after having coached the San Francisco 49ers and at Stanford. The Chargers also have a franchise quarterback in place with Justin Herbert.
One big question has been whether Chargers owner Dean Spanos is willing to spend what it will take to land a high-profile coach like Harbaugh. We may soon have our answer.