NFL rumors: Jets face potential bidding war for Michigan's Jim Harbaugh, as teams start lining up
Updated: Dec. 08, 2020, 7:49 a.m. | Published: Dec. 08, 2020, 5:59 a.m.
Big Ten football: Michigan beats Rutgers in 3OT thriller - Nov. 21, 2020
By Mike Rosenstein | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Can't say we didn't see this coming.
If the New York Jets fire head coach Adam Gase (which seems to be a given), and if the Jets pursue Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh (which is very likely), they could find themselves in a bidding war.
Author and Michigan insider John U. Bacon reports that "what we know so far, from solid sources: UM AD Warde Manuel has discussed with Jim Harbaugh a new contract with lower base salary and buyout, though with good provisions to hire top assistants and large incentives for performance. Harbaugh can now accept, negotiate, or decline. At least five NFL teams have expressed an interest in hiring him – per usual – though not clear if any have made firm offers yet."
Bacon's update came one day after Pro Football Talk reported that, "per multiple sources, Harbaugh is believed to be eyeing a return to the NFL, as a head coach. Another source said that teams are doing their homework on Harbaugh, who instantly took the 49ers to the NFC Championship and who nearly led the team to a Super Bowl win in his second season with the team."
Harbaugh and the Wolverines are struggling during the coronavirus-shortened 2020 season, sitting at 2-4 in the Big Ten.
Harbaugh has just one year left on his deal at Michigan and has hinted that a return to the NFL could interest him. One of the many jobs that is expected to be available in January is with the Jets, where Gase is a dead man walking thanks to an 0-12 record.
Before returning to his alma mater as Michigan head coach, Harbaugh was with the San Francisco 49ers for four seasons, going 44-19 and leading them to Super Bowl XLVII, which he lost to his brother, Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh.
Before going to the 49ers, Jim Harbaugh was the head coach at Stanford for four seasons, giving him an overall college coaching record of 78-43.
In his six seasons at Michigan, Harbaugh has won at least nine games four times. But he's just 1-4 in bowl games with the Wolverines, including bowl losses in each of the last four campaigns.
Harbaugh also played 14 years in the NFL from 1987 to 2000. The quarterback had stints with the Chicago Bears, Indianapolis Colts, Ravens and San Diego Chargers.
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Mike Rosenstein may be reached at mrosenstein@njadvancemedia.com. Tell us your coronavirus story or send a tip here.