As head coach Jim Harbaugh and the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines put together for the School Soccer Playoff Championship recreation on Monday in opposition to No. 2 Washington, he would doubtless want to reply questions on his present staff.
However amid rumors that Harbaugh is fascinated with a return to the NFL, to not anticipate questions on that may be naive. Somewhat than trigger a stir by answering in some way about his plans, he as a substitute hilariously dodged the query.
“I am going to gladly speak concerning the future subsequent week,” Harbaugh stated. “I hope to have one. How about that?”
If Harbaugh does resolve to return to the NFL after Monday evening’s championship recreation — as his hiring of agent Don Yee (whose shopper checklist contains Broncos coach Sean Payton and Tom Brady) signifies, he’ll have loads of suitors with many job openings anticipated on this teaching cycle.
Maybe essentially the most engaging touchdown spot for Harbaugh is with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The staff perennially underperformed with head coach Brandon Staley, losing the skills of quarterback Justin Herbert regardless of the expertise surrounding him. With competent management, maybe Herbert and the Chargers might lastly grow to be the AFC contenders they had been presupposed to be.
Harbaugh additionally reportedly confirmed curiosity in taking up in Carolina for the Panthers, who had been far and away the worst staff within the NFL in 2023. In addition they have a younger quarterback in 2023 first general draft choose Bryce Younger who will surely profit from Harbaugh’s mentorship.
However the gamers at talent positions in Carolina are a lot much less inspiring than these at Herbert’s disposal, and in the intervening time, appears unlikely that meddlesome proprietor David Tepper is keen to give up the quantity of management that Harbaugh would demand.
Moreover, there are a number of locations with younger quarterbacks of their very own who’re but to formally transfer on from their present head coaches. Invoice Belichick in New England and Ron Rivera in Washington are each doubtless going to be let go this offseason.
Each conditions are nearer to (however nonetheless forward of) the Panthers in growth than they’re the Chargers, however would in all probability include the bonus of having the ability to select a quarterback relatively than inherit one.
Because the 2024 NFL Draft order currently stands, the Commanders and Patriots personal the second and third general picks respectively. In Washington, Harbaugh may get to select between UNC merchandise Sam Howell and Drake Maye.
In New England, he’d maybe get the possibility to develop 2023 Heisman Trophy winner Jayden Daniels, or finalists Michael Penix Jr. or Bo Nix. Whereas none of these prospects are considered with fairly the identical confidence because the consensus high two of Maye and USC’s Caleb Williams, Harbaugh is assured in his capacity to maximise the expertise of whoever they draft.
If Harbaugh does leap again to the NFL and needs to compete for a Tremendous Bowl from day one, he ought to be a part of the Chargers.
