We’re in the end game now with Jim Harbaugh.
Harbaugh, the Michigan coach, is in “striking distance” of signing with the Chargers, according to NFL Network.
“This feels like we’re now in the zone where something could happen between the Chargers and Jim Harbaugh in the near future. My understanding is it’s an extremely strong offer they have made to him financially,” NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo said Tuesday. “They’re now in the point where they’re going to discuss staffing, when it comes to general manager and coaching staff, who’s going to work alongside Harbaugh as well, so this feels like advancing to the point where if everybody is comfortable with a lot of the principle factors at play, that this team could move on Jim Harbaugh and try to get him under the contract here in the near future.”
Harbaugh has been interviewing with teams after leading his alma mater to the national title, and it’s started to feel as it’s a matter of when, not if, he will be back in the NFL.
“He wants it,” a source told Pro Football Talk.
Jim Harbaugh could be headed to Los Angeles. USA TODAY Sports via Reuters ConESPN reported Harbaugh was scheduled to have a second interview with the Chargers this week, and he’s the first candidate to be reported to have multiple interviews with the team.
The Chargers were -150 favorites at DraftKings last week to land Harbaugh, although he’s already interviewed with the Falcons and is set for a second interview, according to ESPN.
Harbaugh, 60, played for the Chargers from 1999-2000.
The Chargers are searching for a head coach. APHe previously coached in the NFL with the 49ers from 2011-14, leading the 49ers to one Super Bowl appearance and three NFC Championship game appearances.
ESPN reported the Chargers have interviewed 15 candidates for their vacant coaching job.
Pete Carroll is also making a push and Mike Vrabel is in the mix, according to Pro Football Talk, but it appears they have an uphill climb to supplant Harbaugh.
“That feels like where we are, that feels like Harbaugh is not just toying with the NFL to try to get Michigan to agree to something to jump back to college,” Garafolo reported Tuesday afternoon. “This has felt like Harbaugh has his eyes locked on the NFL and this could be the move in the near future to Los Angeles, back to California, where he’s coached before, where he’s played before, where he could be comfortable.”
The Chargers fired Brandon Staley in mid-December after an embarrassing 63-21 loss to the Raiders and the team on its way to a disappointing 5-12 season.
