A short list of popular names comes up when listing the potential replacements for Matt Eberflus as head coach, presuming he’s fired after the season finale in Green Bay. Probably the most-mentioned name on that list is Jim Harbaugh. It is an easy connection to make. He played quarterback in Chicago from 1987 through 1992. Mike Ditka was one of his biggest mentors, by his own admission. Rumors have persisted for years that he views the Bears job as his dream destination. So, of course, he’s getting tied to it again as Eberflus’ status in the organization wavers.
Yet some insist this is nothing more than the usual Harbaugh smokescreen. It’s a way to keep his name in the news. One might even say it’s a convenient way to find leverage in contract talks. That became evident when reports surfaced that Michigan is working on a 5-year extension that would make him the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten conference. Nothing is in writing yet, but it sounds like the two sides are making headway. The belief is the school is trying to get something in the contract that would prevent him from exiting the deal early for an NFL job.
Jim Harbaugh might be trying to hedge his bets.
That is to say, he wants to wait to see if an NFL job comes open that he has a shot to get, particularly the Bears. Dianna Russini of The Athletic reported the organization has had internal discussions about him as an Eberflus replacement. No decision has been made yet. Harbaugh is only one of multiple options on the table. Eric Bieniemy is another name mentioned recently. A source told SM the team brass has a list of “around 12” names they plan to look into if Eberflus is out. Harbaugh is on that list.
Much of this may depend on what happens in the College Football Playoffs. Michigan is set to play Alabama in their pursuit of a national championship berth. Jim Harbaugh has yet to win a single CFP game. They were blown up by Georgia in 2021 and got upset by TCU last year. Alabama is one of the hottest teams in the country and has way more big-game experience. If Harbaugh loses another big game like this, it won’t help his efforts to get noticed. On the other hand, a national title might.
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He might be delaying an agreement on the contract until he knows where he stands.
I’m in my late forties. Unlike some you, you probably haven’t followed harbaugh’s career and never have experienced what is like to have a bear team dominate, win a sb and have proper coaching. After Ditka, the coaching has been terrible for decades. Obviously as a result of bad gms and incompetent people in charge in ownership. And don’t bring up Lovie. He wasted great defenses and never built a good offense around cutler. Therefore a failure because no Trophies. No matter the qb route, you need a proven winner, a guy that understands the pressures of being in Chicago,… Read more »
I got down-voted for saying Harbaugh was better off staying at Michigan. You think Harbaugh is unaware of the graveyard of Chicago head coaches? Coaching in college is a way better gig.
He was NEVER coming to Chicago anyway.
1. He wants total control over the team.
NOPE.
2. He had troubles with Kevin Warren.
Powerful men never bury the hatchet, unless they’ve used it and had to get rid of it.
3. He’s involved in a scandal. McCaskey’s don’t do drama.
4. Foremost, this is the Chicago Bears. We don’t do anything worth meaning, first. Some other team would’ve paid him before Virginia.
Erik your website has become impossible to like and you suck. This article you’re putting out there people knew for months,