Will James Harbaugh be joining the NFL? Updates and speculation regarding Michigan coaches’ 2024 destinations

Once more, it’s that time of year. The NFL season is nearly finished. The Michigan state team is ready for the summer break. This indicates that the speculations about Jim Harbaugh joining the NFL again should really get hot.

NFL teams are reportedly interested in hiring Harbaugh away from his alma mater and bringing him back to the pros, something that has become a yearly ritual over the past few years. It seems like Harbaugh always piques curiosity for a short while before returning to lead the Wolverines.

It looked like Harbaugh would end up departing two offseasons ago. Following his interview, Kevin O’Connell was selected by the Vikings to take over as the team’s new head coach. Harbaugh then said that he was done applying for NFL positions.

“Sure, the Super Bowl is the greatest prize in our sport,” Harbaugh told the Detroit Free Press. “But winning a national championship, that’s pretty darn great. Let’s do that.

MORE: Why Chargers are best NFL fit for Jim Harbaugh in 2024

“There was a pull to the NFL because I got that close to the Super Bowl, but this was the time (to try and return.) And this is the last time. Now let’s go chase college football’s greatest prize.”

Michigan will play for a national championship on Monday, potentially leading Harbaugh to one of his career goals. Whether he completes that or not, next season is likely to be one nearly as tumultuous as a 2023 campaign that saw him twice suspended. The NCAA still has open investigations into Harbaugh for allegedly misleading NCAA investigators while it looked into allegations he met with recruits during the 2020 dead period, as well as into the sign-stealing allegations for which the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh at the end of the 2023 regular season.

The Wolverines also could wind up facing a fair amount of roster turnover with several key contributors likely headed to the NFL draft. On top of that, next season will be a new-look Big Ten that features the additions of former Pac-12 teams like Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, the Wolverines’ opponent in the national championship.

Will Harbaugh be leaving for the NFL? Here’s what you need to know about the rumors surrounding his potential interest in parting ways with Michigan.

Latest news, rumors on Jim Harbaugh’s 2024 NFL interest

‘Multiple teams’ looking into Jim

The Wolverines also could wind up facing a fair amount of roster turnover with several key contributors likely headed to the NFL draft. On top of that, next season will be a new-look Big Ten that features the additions of former Pac-12 teams like Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington, the Wolverines’ opponent in the national championship.

Will Harbaugh be leaving for the NFL? Here’s what you need to know about the rumors surrounding his potential interest in parting ways with Michigan.

Latest news, rumors on Jim Harbaugh’s 2024 NFL interest

‘Multiple teams’ looking into Jim

On New Year’s Eve, it was reported Harbaugh had hired Don Yee, a well-known agent who has represented NFL talents like Tom Brady and Sean Payton. Many took that signing as a belief Harbaugh intended to explore offers from NFL teams.

The Washington Post reported on Jan. 5 that sources involved in the NFL coach hiring process believe Harbaugh’s hiring of Yee could be over interest in being considered for the Raiders’ head coaching job. The Raiders would have to make a decision as to whether to pursue Harbaugh or retain interim coach Antonio Pierce.

Harbaugh began his NFL coaching career in Oakland as a quarterbacks coach in 2002 before he was hired to be San Diego’s head coach in 2004.

Chargers hiring Jim Harbaugh ‘has gained some steam’

When Brandon Staley was fired earlier in 2023, many were quick to match Harbaugh to Los Angeles and stellar quarterback Justin Herbert. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the connection between the Chargers and Harbaugh “has gained some steam,” with Los Angeles reportedly having conducted research on the Michigan head coach to see whether he’d be a fit.

The Chargers currently have interim coach Giff Smith guiding the team. Fowler reported Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson will be viewed as one of the top candidates for the Los Angeles job.

Jim Harbaugh offered Michigan extension

Harbaugh has apparently not yet accepted Michigan’s offer to stay, but the team has made an effort to keep him. According to NFL.com, Michigan made Harbaugh an offer of a 10-year, $125 million contract, which would rank him among the highest-paid wide receivers in college football.

A stipulation in the pact would prevent him from considering or taking a job in the NFL until 2024; however, it has been alleged that this restriction has caused delays. The provision would expire after the offseason in 2024.