The annual "Jim Harbaugh back to the NFL" rumors have hit the news cycle once again, this time conveniently landing on National Signing Day — something that must have Michigan fans collectively losing their minds.
These Harbaugh rumors have seemingly popped up to some degree ever since he departed the 49ers for Michigan. But it certainly feels as if Wednesday's rumors have dropped with a particularly heavy dosage given the nonstop flow of the supposedly strong interest the Los Angeles Chargers have in luring Harbaugh back to the NFL.
According to Jordan Schultz of Bleacher Report, while the Chargers do have significant interest, it's not entirely clear if the interest is mutual.
??? THIS IS NOT A DRILL ???
?The Chargers have SIGNIFICANT interest in Jim Harbaugh. Repeat, the Chargers have interest in Jim Harbaugh? pic.twitter.com/TpoIlrCPio
— ?Director (@TheDirector_YT) December 20, 2023
Schultz made that crystal clear in the above video. And that's hardly surprising, because do we ever have any clue what Harbaugh is thinking or which way he might be leaning?
However, other sources out there are saying Harbaugh and the Chargers have already been in "heavy discussions" — which, again, is something media and fans alike have become accustomed to hearing each winter. There's really no way to view these type of things other than what they are — rumors.
It happened last offseason when the Denver Broncos were seeking a heavy-hitter to come in and make a significant impact on a franchise trending the wrong way. But, as we've learned, we never really know what exactly is going on until the latest juicy vacant NFL coaching spot is filled by someone other than Jim Harbaugh.
It's definitely worth noting that after firing the wildly unpopular Brandon Staley — following the Bolts being stampeded by the Raiders 63-21 — Chargers President John Spanos made a point to say the franchise would have "no limitations" on hiring its next head when it comes to salary.
So, yes, the Chargers are looking for a massive change when it comes to their next head coach, just as the aforementioned Broncos did early this year in making a huge splash by hiring the highly regarded Sean Payton.
What might be most intriguing about a possible Harbaugh-to-the-Chargers scenario is the quarterback situation. Justin Herbert is still just 25 years old and all but begging for a quarterback guru to come in to help him reach his true potential, which has hardly been tapped yet.
We already know what Harbaugh — being a former quarterback himself — was able to do with Alex Smith, who had struggled for years in San Francisco until the "Michigan Man" arrived and completely flipped the script on the trajectory of Smith's career.
Same goes for Colin Kaepernick, as the duo came mere yards away from winning a Super Bowl together. So the idea of a "quarterback whisperer" like Harbaugh working with a talent like Herbert understandably has fans already salivating over the thought.
Sign me up for the weekly #Chargers Jim Harbaugh & Justin Herbert pregame hype routine! ? pic.twitter.com/6x8ygC0osq
— Dan W. (@DanWSports) December 20, 2023
The reality — for now, at least — is that Harbaugh and his staff at Michigan are not only focused on National Signing Day, they also happen to be the No. 1 seed in the College Football Playoff.
Throw in the fact that the Wolverines face the daunting task of playing Nick Saban's Alabama squad, and it's hard to believe that Harbaugh is doing literally anything other than intensely focusing on a game plan that would put a major stamp on his Michigan coaching career by beating the Crimson Tide — and subsequently winning it all against either Washington or Texas.
But let's not kid ourselves. Harbaugh rumors never sleep this time of year, and they will continue to persist at a feverish pace until we have concrete answers at every loose end.
One search of "Jim Harbaugh" on X will quickly tell you exactly that.
