The Chicago Bears still have some big decisions ahead of them, depending on how the rest of this 2023 season unfolds. One of them is the fate of head coach Matt Eberflus. After a brutal 0-4 start that extended a franchise record 14-game losing street, his team has managed to win two of their last three. Still, they’re 2-5 and in line for another top-5 pick in the 2024 draft. If he produces a record similar to last season despite more talent on paper, many feel that is plenty of grounds for firing him after only two years. It’s why rumors have already started about potential replacements. Among the most popular is Jim Harbaugh.
The Michigan head coach has been connected to the Bears job each of the past two times it came open in 2018 and 2022. Both times, the organization didn’t bring him in for an interview. The ongoing belief is the 59-year-old views Chicago as his dream NFL job, having played for them in the late 1980s and early ’90s. His track record of success has followed him everywhere, from Stanford to San Francisco to Michigan. David Kaplan of ESPN 1000 has indicated Harbaugh’s interest in the job remains strong.
However, Albert Breer of the MMQB raised one issue. Apparently, Harbaugh and Kevin Warren have a somewhat frosty relationship—the same Warren who is now president of the Bears.
Warren is quite familiar with Jim Harbaugh.
The two worked together when the former was commissioner of the Big Ten from 2019 through 2022. Everybody knows Harbaugh has always had an issue with authority figures. It was true during his time as quarterback under Mike Ditka. It was true during his contentious tenure in San Francisco with GM Trent Baalke, and it’s been true throughout his time with the Wolverines. It’s not at all difficult to imagine him having issues with Warren. Unless encouraged by ownership, it doesn’t seem like that is a direction the Bears president would want to go.
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Everybody loves the idea of Jim Harbaugh. His track record speaks for itself. He’s worn navy blue and orange before. His style and mentality fit Bears football. Unfortunately, none of that matters if the guys at the top don’t want him. Ownership has already shown a lack of interest the past two chances they had. Now, it appears their new top decision-maker is an obstacle as well. Eberflus isn’t fired yet. He can still save his job, which would make this discussion pointless. Still, if the talks begin a few months from now, it doesn’t sound like Harbaugh will be on the shortlist.
