Chargers Slapped With Clear Cut Demands to Sign Jim Harbaugh as Michigan Prepares $125 Million Contract for Him

It’s the CFP National Championship Day, a day Jim Harbaugh has been looking forward to since 2015. This today, is the closest he’s come to securing that elusive crown with the Michigan Wolverines. But this is also the closest he’s come to leaving the team he’s spent nine years building. And if he is, in fact, stepping away from the NCAA after the championship game—likely closing his college football chapter—he could very well be welcomed by the team he finished his professional career with. On two conditions. 

With all that he’s gone through this season, there are speculations that the Wolverines HC’s trials and tribulations with the NCAA may not be over, giving him that much more incentive to move to the NFL. Considering how he’s led the Wolverines for the past several years, he’s not short of options. But as of now, the Los Angeles Chargers might be leading the race, especially considering Harbaugh saw out the last 2 seasons of his 14-year career with them. But that’s not to say Harbaugh won’t change his mind if offered better incentives.

On the latest episode of the Get Up show, this is precisely what Michigan alum and reporter Adam Schefter talked about. Per him, there are two things NFL teams need to offer Jim Harbaugh to get him to jump ship. “To me, it has always been up to an NFL team to come at him and make him an attractive enough offer with a situation that’s set up the way he wants. And if those pieces fall into place, then yes. I think he would be interested in going.” Remember how we said Harbaugh’s interest in the Chargers could change with better incentives elsewhere? The Las Vegas Raiders could be that elsewhere.

As per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Vincent Bonsignore, “The @Raiders are projected to have $50m in cap space in 2024. Also, their cash total, which was $246m this year, is at $148.4m (so far) for next year. They’re in good shape,” which can give Harbaugh that “attractive offer” Schefter talked about. However, what’s first and foremost in the Wolverines HC’s mind is the championship game, a crown he would want to walk away with tonight.

“Jim Harbaugh has done what he set out to do, which is restore the football program at the University of Michigan,” said Adam Schefter. Harbaugh has given his everything to the Wolverines since 2015. The thing is, as much as Harbaugh wants that championship with his team, Michigan wants him to stay in Ann Arbor just as much. Needless to say, they have a lucrative deal of their own to offer.

Watch This Story | Tom Brady Successor Finds an 8-Worded Reality Check As Bucs QB Baker Mayfield Finally Set To Prove if He Is Worth Legends Shoes

Michigan’s record-breaking contract extension for Jim Harbaugh

It was recently announced in December that Harbaugh had received an offer of a contract extension worth over $125 million. This contract would sign Harbaugh for another 10 years until 2034, an extension from his previous contract that was to end in 2026. If Harbaugh does sign the contract, it would make him one of the highest-paid coaches in the NCAA. And that would be the biggest contract in college football. But here’s where it gets tricky.

One of the clauses on the contract entails Harbaugh agreeing not to entertain or accept an NFL job for the 2024 season. This clause will run its course after one season, but in most cases, one season has been enough for teams to keep coaches from transferring to the NFL.

“He’s focused on the game, but after tonight’s game, once we get to this time tomorrow, this will be the conversation going forward,” Adam Schefter added. There’s no doubt that if the Wolverines HC can guide Michigan to its first championship since 1997, it’ll only increase NFL teams’ interest in him. But it could work in Michigan’s favor as well. If the Wolverines are crowned the 2023 national champions, that could very well be incentive enough for Harbaugh to want to continue with his team, hoping to lead them to many more seasons like this for years to come.

Will Harbaugh stay with Michigan or shift to the NFL with the Chargers? Or could the Raiders give him the opportunity he wants?

Read More: “If You Don’t Coach Then You Die”: Jim Harbaugh Fired Epic Reply to Alabama Alum Over Leaving Footballing Roots