I realize that every year, people like to speculate about Jim Harbaugh leaving Michigan, from the fans to the so-called experts. So, what makes this year different?
To start
Michigan has had an exceptional run this year. Harbaugh has been with the team for a long time, and he finally beat Ohio State and brought home a Big 10 championship. Leaving this year would pretty much being like going out on top.
Insider's take
Unlike previous years, insiders across the web are saying their sources indicate Jim Harbaugh is actually considering a run for the NFL this year. In past years, the rumors died pretty quickly, but that’s not the case this year.
He's not getting younger
If Jim Harbaugh wants to go back to the NFL, he might as well do it sooner rather than later. He’s not old, by any means, but not getting any younger, either.
Unfinished business
Harbaugh left the NFL with some unfinished business. Now that he’s succeeded at the college level, he might be temped to go back and finished what he started.
It's a big year for new NFL coaches
Experts are guessing anywhere from 5 to 7 head coaching positions will open up by next week as NFL teams announce changes to their rosters. That’s a lot of opportunities for Harbaugh.
He simply seems serious
Insiders are also saying that this isn’t just Harbaugh wanting to negotiate a bigger contract with Michigan. He seems serious about looking to the NFL.
So, which team is temping Harbaugh to go pro?
There’s a lot of buzz about the Raiders being the team Harbaugh would be interested in coaching, but all bets are pointing to the Bears. After four years, it appears Matt Nagy will be exiting.
Inside info from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic
According to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Harbaugh is starting to think that there has never been a better time, or chance, to land his dream job than now with the Bears. On the Rich Eisen show, he also said the interest is mutual between both Harbaugh and the Bears.
Why the Bears?
According to Feldman, the Bears entice Harbaugh for many reasons. He has a history with the team’s owners and the team. The team already has a solid quarterback. Also, the timing might be very good, coming off a great year with Michigan.
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: DJ Turner #5 of the Michigan Wolverines looks on during the third quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Nolan Smith #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs forces a fumble by Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs with the ball as Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the third quarter of the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Warren Brinson #97 of the Georgia Bulldogs attempts to block a pass by J.J. McCarthy #9 of the Michigan Wolverines in the fourth quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs talks with Justin Shaffer #54 in the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Head Coach Kirby Smart of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts on the sidelines in the third quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs runs the ball into the end zone for a touchdown in the fourth quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: The Orange Bowl trophy is displayed before the game between the Michigan Wolverines and the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Stetson Bennett #13 of the Georgia Bulldogs reacts after throwing a touchdown pass in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches the ball for a touchdown as Vincent Gray #4 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Mark Brown/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Cade McNamara #12 of the Michigan Wolverines looks to throw the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Adonai Mitchell #5 of the Georgia Bulldogs catches the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Kenny McIntosh #6 of the Georgia Bulldogs throws the ball for a touchdown in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines is taken down by Lewis Cine #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball as Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: James Cook #4 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball as Josh Ross #12 of the Michigan Wolverines defends in the first quarter in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Donovan Edwards #7 of the Michigan Wolverines is taken down by Lewis Cine #16 of the Georgia Bulldogs in the first quarter of the game in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: Zamir White #3 of the Georgia Bulldogs carries the ball in the first quarter of the game against the Michigan Wolverines in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Playoff Semifinal at the Capital One Orange Bowl – Georgia v Michigan
ShareMIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - DECEMBER 31: the Michigan Wolverines enter the field before the game against the Georgia Bulldogs in the Capital One Orange Bowl for the College Football Playoff semifinal game at Hard Rock Stadium on December 31, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
