Is Jim Harbaugh going to the NFL? Latest news, updates on Raiders, Commanders, other 2024 landing spots

Edward Sutelan

Is Jim Harbaugh going to the NFL? Latest news, updates on Raiders, Commanders, other 2024 landing spots image

It's that time of year again. The NFL season is almost over. Michigan is headed into the offseason. That means it's time for the Jim Harbaugh-returning-to-the-NFL rumors to really start heating up.

For several years, it has become an annual ritual that NFL teams are reported to have interest in hiring Harbaugh away from his alma mater and bringing him back to the pros. It always appears Harbaugh fields some interest for a little bit and then winds up going back to coach the Wolverines.

Two offseasons ago, it appeared Harbaugh would wind up leaving. He interviewed with the Vikings, who wound up picking Kevin O'Connell to be the team's next head coach. After that, Harbaugh said he was done pursuing NFL jobs.

"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.

"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."

Well, mission accomplished. Michigan beat Washington to win its first national title since 1997, allowing Harbaugh to check off one of his career goals. 

BENDER: Michigan beats everybody: No one could stop Jim Harbaugh's national title team

That triumph only seems to make it more likely Harbaugh will actually move on this time, as next season is likely to be 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 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.

MORE: Michigan president, AD won't guarantee Jim Harbaugh's return to Wolverines

Jim Harbaugh NFL news, rumors for 2024

Harbaugh declines to address future after title game

Harbaugh and everyone else knew it wouldn't take long after the Wolverines' win over Washington for the question to come, and his answer wasn't particularly surprising. Asked immediately after the title game about his future with Michigan and potential NFL move, Harbaugh replied: 

"I just want to enjoy this. I hope you give me that. Can a guy have that? Does it always have to be what’s next, what’s the future?"

While that type of response was to be expected, the questions will keep coming with NFL hiring season now in full swing.

Commanders interested in Harbaugh after firing Ron Rivera

Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the Commanders are among the teams interested in hiring Jim Harbaugh. Boby Myers — who was hired to help lead the coaching search in Washington — has already reached out to Harbaugh's new agent, Don Yee, about the status of the Michigan coach.

The Commanders are coming off a 4-13 season and have the No. 2 pick in the 2024 NFL Draft. So, if Harbaugh wants a chance to draft his own quarterback, Washington could represent a sensible landing spot for him.

'Multiple teams' looking into Harbaugh

Jim Harbaugh has one advantage over other head coaching candidates: he can start talking to NFL teams at any point. Current NFL assistant coaches have to wait until after the divisional round of the playoffs. Harbaugh, not being an NFL coach, can talk with teams at any point.

And according to NFL+: The Insiders, several teams have already begun looking into Harbaugh as a hire. In addition, the report noted Harbaugh has staff lists and has looked at different openings as he begins to look at jobs after the national championship on Monday. The Chargers and Raiders are believed to be among those interested.

Harbaugh's agent hiring could be for interest in Raiders

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 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.

MORE: Why the Chargers are best NFL fit for Harbaugh

Harbaugh offered 10-year Michigan extension

Michigan has made an effort to retain Harbaugh, though he has reportedly not yet accepted it. NFL.com reported Michigan offered Harbaugh a 10-year, $125 million extension, a deal that would put him among college football's highest-paid catches.

The deal includes a clause that would prohibit him from entertaining or accepting a job in the NFL for 2024, though such a clause has reportedly been the hold up. The clause would not extend past the 2024 offseason.

Edward Sutelan

Edward Sutelan Photo

Edward Sutelan joined The Sporting News in 2021 after covering high school sports for PennLive. Edward graduated from The Ohio State University in 2019, where he gained experience covering the baseball, football and basketball teams. Edward also spent time working for The Columbus Dispatch and Cape Cod Times.