Jim Harbaugh Contract Update: Michigan AD Offers Fresh Insights Into HC’s Future Amidst Rumors of Chargers Switch

The Wolverines cracked the code to winning the National championship. What remains is cracking the code to Jim Harbaugh’s agreement; something that needs a bit more work from Michigan’s end. Ahead of the Rose Bowl, the MU offered a $125 million contract. However, the terms that came with it poked like a thorn in Harbaugh’s eyes.

The Wolverines coach being interested in NFL head coaching job is no secret. Rather, the possibilities of it are intensifying by day. If Harbaugh and Co. bring home the National Championship, then it would be even more important to get on terms with Harbaugh over contract extension. As a result, the Athletic director at Michigan released an update on the contract.

What’s going on with Jim Harbaugh’s contract?

Following the historic win at the Rose Bowl, Michigan AD knew what he had to do. Warde Manuel, a former football player and the athletic director at Michigan Wolverines, confirmed the news that Michigan is working on modifying the contract. Manuel said, “Believe me. I’ve been working on it.”

The $125 million contract, despite being enticing, is a caveat for Harbaugh. If he accepts the run-through contract extended till 2026, he would have to make an exclusive commitment to the Wolverines for the 2024 season, per NFL Insider Ian Rapoport.

When Harbaugh took Michigan under his wing, they were just 5-7. He turned them into 10-3 and the team that defeated Florida, 41-7, in the Citrus Bowl in 2016. Since then, he has seen some ups and downs with his team, though his tenure has been fruitful.

Now, given the competition of Broncos, Vikings and many other teams that have been interviewing Harbaugh, not to mention his coaching experience for 49ers leading them to Super Bowl, this deal could be a touch-and-go situation for Michigan.

Amidst all this, Harbaugh has hired a ‘popular-in-NFL’ agent, per NFL Insider Adam Schefter. Is Harbaugh really considering the NFL?

Harbaugh’s rapidly increasing affinity towards the NFL

Well, rumor has it the National championship might be Jim Harbaugh’s last game with Michigan. Per ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers has “gained steam in league circles” recently. He also mentioned, “Los Angeles has interest and has done some preliminary homework.” After nine years at Michigan, the coach has seen it all. He even hired agent Don Yee to represent him. And that’s a big signal he is looking at the NFL.

Further, could he be tired of college football? He had missed the first three games because of a university-issued penalty for recruiting violations. Then, he again missed the last three games for violations of the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy. His program was accused of sign stealing.

READ ALSO: Jim Harbaugh’s Elusive Dream Hints at Exit From Michigan Despite Rose Bowl Triumph Against Alabama

In fact, Harbaugh has considered working with several NFL teams in recent years. As shared by Adam Schefter on Twitter last year, Broncos owner Greg Penner and Harbaugh had a meeting to discuss Denver’s head coaching position. But nothing panned out.

If the rumors stand to be true, which they can be, given the ambiguousness of definitive statements from Harbaugh’s end, Michigan will lose one of the best coaches they had in franchise history. As of now, Harbaugh’s sole focus is getting the National Championship home that the franchise is awaiting since 1997.

Watch this story: Coach Jim Harbaugh Sets The Record Straight On Michigan’s Sign-Stealing Incident