Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors: Michigan coach again connected to potential Bears or Panthers move

Jim Harbaugh has been linked to a potential return to the NFL for several offseasons in recent years. That won’t change in 2024.

During the 2023 season, Harbaugh received two suspensions: one for allegedly misled NCAA investigators on recruiting infractions, and the other for the Connor Stalions sign-stealing incident. According to Bruce Feldman’s research for The Athletic, Harbaugh may also be facing a lengthy suspension in 2024 since the NCAA has not yet announced the formal outcome of its investigations.

There had been speculation, even prior to the season, that Harbaugh would be interested in going back to the NFL to attempt and win the Super Bowl that escaped him in the 49ers’ loss to the Ravens in Super Bowl 47.In spite of his

Despite stating at the beginning of 2022 that he would not be able to rejoin the NFL, he has since been connected to multiple NFL coaching positions in the next cycle, especially before he gets ready to potentially serve a longer ban in 2024.

DeCOURCY: Trophy presentations and exciting games abound over championship weekend.

Which teams would be most interested in acquiring Harbaugh if he decided to enter the NFL? Before the 2023 NFL and college football seasons come to a finish, a select handful have already made an impression.

Interest in Harbaugh could go up once more NFL coaching spots are open, but per The Athletic’s Dianna Russini, two destinations are “absolutely” in play: the Bears and Panthers.

Chicago has not made a head coaching change, still with Matt Eberflus at the helm. But with the Bears likely headed toward another disappointing season, this one after an expensive offseason, Eberflus has widely been

thought to be under investigation. With just 11 games into Frank Reich’s tenure as Carolina’s coach, the Panthers have already fired Reich, and Charlotte currently has the worst record in the league (1-10).

“Harbaugh and [Panthers owner David] Tepper had discussions the previous year. Of course, that didn’t work out, but they talked about it. That name is coming up again, Russini remarked on Fox Sports’ “The Herd.” “The Chicago Bears are another organization I have heard has had some conversations about that depending on what decision they make with this coaching staff that is in place and, of course, what they do with that quarterback situation.”

Harbaugh was drafted 26th overall by the Bears in 1987 and spent the first seven years of his NFL career in Chicago, during which he twice led the team to double-digit win seasons. There could be a bit of an awkward reunion if he went to the Windy City, however, with the president of the team, Kevin Warren. Warren was the Big

Tony Pettiti was the tenth commissioner before Harbaugh, and the two did not always agree, notably with the matter of playing during the COVID-19 pandemic. In addition, Warren served as commissioner at the time the NCAA launched its probe into Harbaugh’s interactions with prospects during the 2020 recruiting freeze, which ultimately resulted in a three-game penalty for the 2023 season.

By the end of the season, more teams might be considering Harbaugh. Russini continued by saying that owners are “definitely interested in what he could bring back to the NFL” and that Harbaugh is “respected in league circles.”

In this year’s cycle, Harbaugh is probably going to attract notice before a lot of other coaching prospects. NFL teams are unable to