Desmond Howard calls Jim Harbaugh NFL rumors a distraction, critical of Tony Petitti's handling

Michigan has heard all kinds of things about them and their head coach over the last two months. That includes rumors, valid or not, regarding Jim Harbaugh leaving Ann Arbor this offseason to return to the NFL.

However, to Desmond Howard, he doesn’t see that hearsay as anything more than a diversion. As he said on ‘The Pat McAfee Show’ on Thursday, rumors about Harbaugh’s potential return to the NFL are nothing but opposing teams trying to negatively recruit against the Wolverines.

“I think that for Michigan fans, first and foremost, they look at it as a distraction – as some sort of, I guess, recruiting distraction,” said Howard. “This is the high point of recruiting season, we just had early signing period. And you know, after that? There’s another wave.

“They look at it as if people are trying to distract the recruits from wanting to sign or consider going to Michigan,” Howard added. “That’s kind of how they look at it.”

Still, considering the circumstances from the beginning of the sign-stealing scandal to now, Howard wouldn’t blame him if he did take off for a new job. Howard has been an ardent supporter of his alma mater in the wake of everything with the investigation. As such, he has been none too pleased with the reaction to it, especially in regards to the Big Ten.

That’s why, if he was Harbaugh, he would totally get why he’d leave Michigan in favor of the pros.

“I’m gonna keep it a buck with you. At this point, Pat? If I’m Jim Harbaugh, and that’s something that you hear swirling around? And I haven’t had any indication that that’s where he’s leaning, that’s where, you know, he’s going, he’s thinking about it. Because, you know, I think he wants to go out on top this year and win a national championship. So, he doesn’t want any distractions, okay?” said Howard. “But if I was in his shoes? And the way that my commissioner handled this situation? It would be an option to me.

“I’m just saying as Desmond Howard,” he added. “I’m at an age where you’re not just going to treat me any way you want to treat me because you think you can. And that’s what I would have a problem with.”

In total, Harbaugh missed half of Michigan’s regular season due to suspensions. He missed the first three games due to a self-imposed suspension in connection to an investigation by the NCAA. Then, following the news of the sign-stealing story involving Connor Stalions, Tony Pettiti suspended him for the final three games of the year.

Whether or not those decisions were justified, Howard would fully absolve Harbaugh if they’re now the reason why he chooses to leave college football. We’ll have to see if or how that potential story unfolds, though, following Michigan’s appearance in the College Football Playoff.