It feels like a lot of fates will be on the line this coming Sunday night. A lot of men will be fighting for their jobs. Perhaps none more so than Matt Nagy. The Chicago Bears head coach is in a tight spot. After going 12-4 in 2018, he’s 13-13 since and in danger of watching a 5-1 start to this year conclude with missing the playoffs. All because of his 31st ranked offense being a chore to watch. Losing to the Packers in Green Bay could spell his end. If this ends up being the case, many are wondering. Could Jim Harbaugh replace him?

It isn’t a surprise people are talking about this. Harbaugh has been a subject of speculation for the Bears job going back years. It’s not hard to see why. He’s a big admirer of Mike Ditka and was quarterback for the franchise from 1987 to 1992. The man has deep ties to the organization. Not to mention a passionate and fierce coaching style lots of Bears fans love.

Now it looks like the stars are aligning for that long-awaited reunion.

Harbaugh’s status at Michigan is dicier than ever. Many feel his time grows short. After starting 2020 so strong by blowing out Minnesota, the Wolverines lost three in a row including two crushing losses to Indiana and Wisconsin. If not for a late comeback last week against Rutgers, it felt like the head coach was almost certain to get fired.

In his entire time at Michigan, Harbaugh has never had a losing record. However, he’s also never won a Big Ten championship and never beaten Ohio State. Two gigantic asterisks on his status inside that program. This is why so many fans and media want him gone. Belief is if that happens, he’s almost guaranteed to return to the NFL.

Could that be in Chicago?

Jim Harbaugh to Chicago isn’t out of the question

I spoke to a source who said the Bears are compiling a large list of potential coaching candidates in the event they have to fire Nagy. Something that is “more likely than not” as of right now. An interesting part about that list? It includes a lot of college coaches. One of them is indeed Harbaugh. While it would be a mistake to call him a favorite for the job if he does become available, it’s apparent the organization is at least interested in talking to him.

One must not forget the man was 44-19-1 as a head coach in the NFL. He was 5-3 in the playoffs, reached three consecutive NFC championship games in San Francisco, and came a couple of yards from winning the Super Bowl in 2012. Such things aren’t easy to dismiss despite what’s happened over the past couple of years at Michigan.

If nothing else, he would arrive with a chip on his shoulder.

Something to keep in mind though? Jim Harbaugh will be 57-years old next year. He’s not exactly on the younger side as NFL head coaches go. Teams typically aim for guys who are in their late 30s to late 40s. Longevity is something they always look for at that position. This is likely something that will factor into the Bears’ search. He will need a good sales pitch if and when he does get an opportunity to interview for a job many believe is his dream position in the NFL.