Jim Harbaugh's return to NFL won't happen if it doesn't happen in 2024, insider says

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh made the rounds in this NFL hiring cycle, but if he doesn’t go back to the pros in 2024, he won’t ever back. At least, that’s what Yahoo Sports’ Dan Wetzel said.

Wetzel’s point was that Harbaugh was as hot as ever and there are seven NFL openings. Not only that, two more (Dallas and Philadelphia) could come open as well.

Wetzel explained the latest with Harbaugh on the Dan Patrick Show.

“You know, he’s 40-3 in the last three years and won a national title,” Wetzel said. “Jim Harbaugh has a tremendous amount of support, certainly amongst the fans and boosters, and the school. They want to keep him but I agree with you. I think there’s only so much you could do. Look if you want to go to the Chargers go to the Chargers.

“There’s seven jobs open now we could still get Dallas, we could still get Philly. Probably not Pittsburgh, we’re hearing now but you don’t know. We’re starting to get into real franchises.” 

Wetzel made the point that there are plenty of opportunities and good ones to boot compared to most NFL cycles. Plus, Michigan will be in the fight to keep the coach to the bitter end.

“This isn’t like, do you want to go to Carolina and lose and get fired in two years,” Wetzel said.  “These are real opportunities … I kind of feel like if Jim Harbaugh can’t get a NFL job this year, it’s not going to happen. If you’re Michigan, kind of like, look okay, we’ll pay you. We’ll give you some stuff. We’ll protect you. 

“We’ve been behind you all the way but to just walk away from him, they’re not ready to do that and you know, that’s just that’s just the situation he’s in. 15-0 does a lot for your juice on campus.”

The Wolverine’s Clayton Sayfie recently explained why Harbaugh’s future isn’t exactly cut and dry if he were to stay at Michigan.

“So I mean, he understands why they did (gave him a self imposed suspensino), but I don’t know necessarily if he was on board with it,” Sayfie said of Harbaugh’s season. “I mean, his pay was cut. There’s a lot of history here, so it’s never cut and dry when it comes to Jim Harbaugh. That’s why he’s so unpredictable. You never really know exactly what he’s thinking. He’s hard to get a read on and Michigan’s kind of quiet on this stuff, too. Ware Manuel was as vocal as he’s ever been … and he said, I’m working on getting this guy a new contract, pointing right at him. 

“You know, he wants to get it done. It’s just so complicated, but it is interesting to see. I don’t want to say desperate but it just felt like they know that they gotta get this done if they want a shot here to keep him.”