Despite Reports of Michigan’s $125 Million Contract, Jim Harbaugh Tipped to Leave for Cash-Rich NFL Giants

“There’s just nothing that can separate these guys.” For nine years, Jim Harbaugh has given his blood, sweat, and tears for the Michigan Wolverines. For nine years, he’s worked tirelessly to mold the Wolverines into the formidable unit they are, ensuring that nothing can, in fact, separate them. But just as he said these exact words after Michigan’s Rose Bowl win—breaking a nine-year deadlock despite what they’ve gone through in the past few months—Harbaugh could be giving it all up, he could be the one separating, for a 2002 connection.

Ever since his stint with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to 2014, Jim Harbaugh has almost always been a candidate for a return to the NFL as a head coach. Having previously interviewed for the Minnesota Vikings and the Denver Broncos—both of which led to Harbaugh’s decision to stay with the Wolverines—this time, a pull from the Las Vegas Raiders may be what he needs to return to where it all started. And the Raiders are more than equipped to give him that incentive.

Harbaugh began his coaching career in 2002 as an assistant for the then-Oakland Raiders, spending two seasons as the quarterbacks coach. Following a troubled regular season this past year, the Raiders have been seriously revamping. Having made a good impression in his first stint there, Harbaugh is a prime candidate for Mark Davis—the Raiders owner—who sees him as a game-changer and winner. And as per Las Vegas Review-Journal reporter Vincent Bonsignore, Davis & Co. has the financial bandwidth.

It all started with Bonsignore tweeting, “Feel free to speculate about Jim Harbaugh coming to the ⁦@Raiders as their next head coach.” When one user suggested that the Raiders could be in a jam salary cap-wise if they hire Harbaugh, Bonsignore quickly dismissed that. He wrote, “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 accommodate a lucrative contract for a suitable head coach. But that’s not all.

Another interesting storyline that’s fueled these Raiders speculations is the new Tom Brady connection Jim Harbaugh has formed.

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Jim Harbaugh, Tom Brady, and the Raiders could be one team in 2024

This season of the NCAA Championship has been a season of firsts for Jim Harbaugh at Michigan. Apart from the sign-stealing scandal and the suspensions, this is the first time he won a playoff game and has a shot at the National Championship. It is also the first time he has reportedly been offered a lucrative $125 million, 10-year deal to stay with the Wolverines. And it’s the first time he’s made a significant move pointing to a potential future in the NFL.

Jim Harbaugh recently hired renowned NFL agent Don Yee, notable for representing Tom Brady, and that has fueled interest in a possible switch to the Raiders. What has added to that interest is that Tom Brady is acquiring a minority ownership share in the Raiders. With Yee as his agent and connections to Brady, Harbaugh’s potential move to the Raiders is actively being considered.

While Brady’s status as a minority owner of the Raiders hasn’t been confirmed yet, it could happen in the off-season. Considering the interest in Harbaugh all around the NFL, Brady could potentially go up against his former team, the New England Patriots (rumored to be splitting with HC Bill Belichick), to get the Wolverines coach onboard. 

In what could be a three- or even a four-way battle (considering the Los Angeles Chargers have also shown their interest), will Jim Harbaugh settle for an extended college coaching career or venture into the world of the NFL? Let us know what you think in the comments!

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