NFL Rumors: Jim Harbaugh Expected to Leave Michigan If He Receives NFL HC Offer

Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh is expected to leave for the NFL if offered a job, multiple sources told Bruce Feldman, Nicole Auerbach and Austin Meek of The Athletic.

"I think it is a done deal if he gets an offer," a source close to Harbaugh said.

Harbaugh is coming off his eighth season at Michigan, leading the squad to a Big Ten title and a trip to the College Football Playoff in each of the last two years. Michigan has lost in the national semifinals both seasons, including a 51-45 loss to TCU in Saturday's Fiesta Bowl.

The 59-year-old has a $3 million buyout with Michigan this year.

Harbaugh spent four years as an NFL head coach with the San Francisco 49ers, going 44-19-1 from 2011 to 2014 and making the playoffs three times. His 2012 squad reached the Super Bowl but lost to the Baltimore Ravens.

Last offseason, Harbaugh showed interest in returning to the NFL with the Minnesota Vikings before choosing to remain at his alma mater.

"There was a pull to the NFL because I got that close to the Super Bowl, but this was the time [to try and return]," the coach told Mitch Albom of the Detroit Free Press in February. "And this is the last time. Now let's go chase college football's greatest prize."

"My love for Michigan is strong," he said as well to Alejandro Zuniga of the Michigan Insider.

After falling short of a national championship again this year, it appears he's ready to consider a move to the NFL, where several teams could have vacancies.

According to Ian Rapoport and Tom Pelissero of NFL Network, the Denver Broncos "are one of multiple teams that have been doing homework on Harbaugh." The Indianapolis Colts could also pursue the coach, per Zak Keefer of The Athletic.

Harbaugh spent four of his 14 NFL seasons as a player with the Colts, earning his lone Pro Bowl selection with the team in 1995.