Jim Harbaugh Rumors: Chargers Have 'Gained Steam' as Fit amid Michigan HC's NFL Links

Jim Harbaugh could be coaching his final game with the University of Michigan on Monday night in the College Football Playoff Championship against Washington.

Per ESPN's Jeremy Fowler, a pairing of Harbaugh and the Los Angeles Chargers has "gained steam in league circles" recently.

"At the very least,," Fowler wrote, "Los Angeles has interest and has done some preliminary homework."

Harbaugh is not making it a secret that he's very open to an NFL return. He's flirted with several teams in recent years, but no deal has come together.

The Chargers, Las Vegas Raiders and Carolina Panthers fired their head coaches during the season. The Washington Commanders are another team that seems likely to have a vacancy after Sunday's season finale.

Bill Belichick's future with the New England Patriots has been a source of speculation for months. There will be finally be clarity on that very soon.

All of this is to say there will be no shortage of options for Harbaugh to choose from if he wants to be a head coach in the NFL.

The Chargers are both an obvious and surprising potential destination for the 60-year-old. Justin Herbert is the best quarterback on any team that either has a coaching vacancy or is expected to have a vacancy.

Harbaugh spent the first 11 years of his head-coaching career in California. His first job was at the University of San Diego before he moved to Stanford, then followed it up with a four-year run in the NFL with the San Francisco 49ers from 2011 to '14.

It's surprising because Chargers owner Dean Spanos isn't known for spending big money on coaches.

When there was speculation about Sean Payton going to the Chargers last offseason, ESPN's Adam Schefter said "it's hard to see this franchise, with it's history being as aggressive as it would need to be" to hire someone with Payton's price tag.

Per NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh has a 10-year, $125 million contract offer on the table from Michigan that includes a clause preventing him from entertaining or accepting any NFL jobs for the 2024 season if he signs it.

Rapoport also noted Michigan has a separate offer for fewer years worth about $11 million per season available to Harbaugh.

The Chargers fired Brandon Staley and general manager Tom Telesco on Dec. 15, one day after a 63-21 loss to the Raiders. They are entering Sunday's season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs with a 5-11 record.

Harbaugh has an 85-25 record in nine seasons at Michigan. He's 187-71-1 in 20 seasons as a head coach between college and the NFL.