NFL insider reveals latest regarding Jim Harbaugh-to-the-NFL speculation

The Jim Harbaugh/NFL speculation continues, and reports are coming in from all over. One of them came from ESPN’s Dan Graziano on Friday, and he shed more light on the situation.

Graziano, speaking on “Get Up,” spoke about the link between Harbaugh and the Las Vegas Raiders. He also provided more insight on things at Michigan, including a potential new contract for the Wolverines head coach.

“The Las Vegas Raiders and Jim Harbaugh have kind of been connected in rumors and speculation, etc., for the last month or so,” Graziano said. “My understanding on where this stands, Harbaugh has had contract talks with Michigan, that there is an offer on the table that he could take but hasn’t yet, and that he remains intrigued by the idea of returning to the NFL where he was very successful with the 49ers and doing so as the coach of the Raiders.

“Look, everybody I’ve talked to have said the same thing: ‘It is very hard to predict Jim Harbaugh.’ But there’s real interest both ways, the question is whether it results in him getting the Raiders job or whether they decide it’s not the right time and they look elsewhere. But this is the spot to watch for Jim Harbaugh if he’s coming back into the NFL this year.”

More on Jim Harbaugh, Las Vegas Raiders coaching situations

Here’s the thing. Harbaugh’s still under contract at Michigan, and the Raiders haven’t given any indication about Rich Bisaccia’s future. Bisaccia took over after Jon Gruden’s resignation and led Las Vegas to the playoffs as interim head coach.

Meanwhile, Harbaugh signed a restructured contract at Michigan this year before leading the Wolverines to a 12-2 record and a Big Ten title this year. He got his coaching start with the Raiders in 2002 as quarterbacks coach.

He has also been linked to the Chicago Bears, who drafted him in 1987. The Bears fired Matt Nagy after the season and are conducting a multitude of head coach and general manager interviews.

Much has been made about Harbaugh’s relationship with Raiders owner Mark Davis. The Athletic’s Vic Tafur reported this week that Davis likes to say, “Once a Raider, always a Raider.” However, he cited a source that said the Harbaugh rumors are “total noise.”

Harbaugh has NFL head coaching experience with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011-14 and led them to a Super Bowl appearance in 2012. He had a 44-19-1 record and took San Francisco to the playoffs three times during that span.