The 2024 coaching cycle will involve at least two openings for full-time positions (Raiders and Panthers), but more vacancies will likely emerge in the coming months. Jim Harbaugh remains a highly talked-about candidate, and indications continue to point to an NFL return in time for the 2024 season. 
Harbaugh has been embroiled in controversy this season, but his second three-game suspension served during the campaign – stemming from Michigan’s sign-stealing scandal – is not believed to be sufficient to steer away NFL interest. As a result, he is set to be a notable coaching prospect this winter. Numerous people in league circles believe 2024 will be the year Harbaugh makes his return to the pro sidelines, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reports.
The longtime Wolverines coach has routinely been a name to watch during hiring cycles, having interviewed with the Vikings in 2022 and the Broncos last year. His latest commitment to Michigan delayed his next round of interest until at least 2024. While Harbaugh has previously closed the door to future NFL interest, he is regarded as being “less than 50-50” to once again stay in Ann Arbor, per Sportkeeda‘s Tony Pauline.
Pauline’s report details the potential connection between Harbaugh and four teams which could be on his radar. The Chargers reside on that list, which comes as no surprise given the growing belief Brandon Staley is on the hot seat. Los Angeles is one of several potential suitors for Lions OC Ben Johnson, though, and Harbaugh’s conditions for an NFL deal could turn the Chargers elsewhere. The latter is expected to seek an annual salary of $15MM, Pauline reports, a figure more than triple that of Staley’s current compensation.
Especially with interim HC Chris Tabor unlikely to land the full-time Panthers gig, Carolina could be another Harbaugh destination. Pauline adds, however, that the 59-year-old is not enamored with quarterback Bryce Young, whose struggles as a rookie contributed to Frank Reich‘s dismissal. That, coupled with the Panthers’ lack of a 2024 first-round pick and owner David Tepper‘s reputation for meddling and impatience, would make it a surprise for Harbaugh to find himself in Charlotte next season.
Pauline also names the Raiders and Bears as teams to watch on the Harbaugh front. Both Vegas and Chicago have previously been linked to him based on his playing and coaching history, but a path appears to exist for interim Raiders coach Antonio Pierce to earn the full-time position moving forward. After facing several questions about his job security, meanwhile, it remains to be seen if Matt Eberflus will be retained for 2024 and beyond by the Bears.
While Harbaugh will no doubt have numerous suitors should he decide to take an NFL position for the first time since his 49ers tenure ended in 2014, it very much remains to be seen if he elects to entertain pro offers. His attention will be on Michigan’s push for a national title, but regardless of how that plays out, speculation will continue as the coaching cycle takes shape.
Bears are gonna give him a Gruden contract
If it’s the Bears, does he draft his QB or stay w/ Fields? I say he drafts one.
if the bears are stupid enough not to draft a qb 1 overall, and harbaugh is there.. he could draft mccarthy to follow him
Doobiejc… I hope you mean at #4? There is no way on earth the Bears draft McCarthy above Williams, Mayo or Daniels. Maybe McCarthy at #4 if they got Harrison at #1- but honestly, I think Harrison only goes #1 if they decide to keep Fields.
I highly doubt the Bears are going to pay that much for a coach. He is probably a good choice, but I think a young offensive minded coach is the more likely outcome if they move on from Flus. They need a coach that can develop and build an offensive plan for either Fields or a drafted QB. Poles, if it was his choice, brought in Flus to stabilize the locker room and get the most out of a torn down roster. I think he accomplished that for the most part, but it didn’t help Fields as much as could have been. Maybe that is the telling part on Poles’ leaning on the Fields dilemma.
I’m starting to believe if the defense finishes out playing good/great Floos may get one more year. Providing he hires a new OC…
QB1 and Getz only seemed to bond right after last year’s bye-week when Floos called out all the coaches. Seems to me Getz is trying to turn our QB1 into a pocket passer and won’t take no for an answer…
Raiders, Chargers or Bears. I say the chargers because they have the QB in place
Chargers are to cheap!!
Meh
And they wouldn’t give him the ‘authority’ currently held by Spanos family members.
Possibly
Chargers are a coach away from being very good. It’s a turn-key situation that would be hard to pass if available.
Chargers need to call him. He could potentially whip them into decent shape in under a year
Fix your audacious headline Adam LaRose….It makes it sound as if you just had lunch with Harbaugh and he whispered his plans to you.
This looks like a comment from someone who resents being stuck at the McDonalds drive thru waiting for a cold burger and fries. Bon Appetite.
What in the hell are you talking about dude?
It means its kind of silly to leave a comment complaining about a headline
Cause he know Michigan about to get slammed
If he goes to CAR, there’s nothing he can say that will convince me it’s not a money grab.
That franchise did nothing to protect any QB and traded its only real weapon to get the QB it has … and let’s be honest: Stroud wouldn’t have fared better than Young
CJ has Nick, Tank, Shultz, Pearce, & Singletary.
Young has … had … a temporarily rejuvenated Thielen and plaster of Paris O-Line
The Tepper Tampering is the bowl and cherry on the fecal sundae
Who’d want to return to the NFL for that?
Hopefully this scumbag cheating piece of poop gets a nfl job and fails hard. The players hated him in the past and will again.
Based on his career record of cheating at UM, the Patriots seem like the perfect fit
Well played.
Its amazing you can be a fraud and a cheat and still get work in this industry. I should have been a football man.
Meanwhile a player who places a $50 bet at Draft Kings can be punished with an indefinite ban from the league for putting the integrity of the game in jeopardy. NFL hypocrisy at it’s finest!
Some NFL owner is going to pay a LOT of money this off-season for Harbaugh, and they’re going to have VERY few wins to show for it.
*Raiders have entered the chat*
Jim Harbaugh is going to ask for final say so on the roster and drafting, as he should. The Bears ( apart from founder/ owner George Halas ) have never given any head coach complete control . The McCaskey family is old school , like the Rooney and Mara families , they do no give any coach that kind of power. Harbaugh will wind being the Panthers , Chargers or Raiders head coach since their owners will probably give him the complete control that he will want . Harbaugh has said in the past he does not want to be a GM/ Coach but I can see him wanting Andy Reid power, complete control without the title, since the Chiefs have a GM.
Chargers are just as bad, with the owners son running football ops.
True, but the Chargers are an afterthought in LA now and hiring Harbaugh might be seen by the Spanos as the move they need to get more fans .
I’m not buying the premise that Harbaugh wants to leave college football. It is easier than ever to succeed there and the money is as good or better than the NFL.
I agree 100%. In the end Harbaugh will stay at Michigan , especially if he does not get suspended next year .