As head coach Jim Harbaugh and the No. 1 Michigan Wolverines put together for the School Soccer Playoff Championship recreation on Monday towards No. 2 Washington, he would doubtless desire to reply questions on his present crew.
However amid rumors that Harbaugh is thinking about a return to the NFL, to not count on questions on that might be naive. Fairly than trigger a stir by answering come what may about his plans, he as an alternative hilariously dodged the query.
“I am going to gladly discuss in regards to the future subsequent week,” Harbaugh mentioned. “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 consumer listing 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 probably the most enticing touchdown spot for Harbaugh is with the Los Angeles Chargers.
The crew 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 imagined to be.
Harbaugh additionally reportedly confirmed curiosity in taking up in Carolina for the Panthers, who had been far and away the worst crew within the NFL in 2023. In addition they have a younger quarterback in 2023 first general draft decide Bryce Younger who will surely profit from Harbaugh’s mentorship.
However the gamers at ability positions in Carolina are a lot much less inspiring than these at Herbert’s disposal, and for the time being, appears unlikely that meddlesome proprietor David Tepper is prepared to give up the quantity of management that Harbaugh would demand.
Moreover, there are a couple 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 most likely include the bonus of with the ability to select a quarterback reasonably than inherit one.
Because the 2024 NFL Draft order presently stands, the Commanders and Patriots personal the second and third general picks respectively. In Washington, Harbaugh would possibly 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 prime 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 bounce again to the NFL and needs to compete for a Tremendous Bowl from day one, he ought to be a part of the Chargers.
