NFL insider says controversial head coach could be an option to replace Bears HC Matt Eberflus
The Athletic's Mike Jones suggested this week that a controversial head coach could "appeal" to the Chicago Bears this offseason if the franchise decides to move on from Matt Eberflus. According to Jones, two NFL league sources believe that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh could appeal to the Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders […]
The Athletic's Mike Jones suggested this week that a controversial head coach could "appeal" to the Chicago Bears this offseason if the franchise decides to move on from Matt Eberflus.
According to Jones, two NFL league sources believe that Michigan Wolverines head coach Jim Harbaugh could appeal to the Bears and the Las Vegas Raiders this offseason.
From The Athletic: Harbaugh is among those expected to receive consideration in the next hiring cycle, according to a league source who has been briefed on discussions high-ranking NFL officials have had about potential head coach candidates. And two other league sources who regularly talk with teams about hiring and firing decisions said at least two teams — the Chicago Bears and Las Vegas Raiders — are believed to be among those that would appeal to Harbaugh. The individuals spoke on condition of anonymity to talk freely about the situation.
Jones noted that Harbaugh has a connection to Bears team president Kevin Warren due to Warren's former role as the commissioner of the Big 10.
Harbaugh also spent seven season as a player with the Bears (1987-1993).
Eberflus is 6-21 through his first 27 games as Chicago's head coach. He inherited a tough situation with the team going through a rebuild, but it still wouldn't be a surprise if he doesn't return as the franchise's head coach in 2024.
As for Harbaugh, he's currently embroiled in a wild sign stealing scandal at Michigan, though there's been zero proof thus far of his involvement (sign stealing is completely legal in college football, the problem with this situation is that a staffer was illegally scouting other programs in person).
Harbaugh is 81-25 since taking over at Michigan in 2015. He went 44-19-1 as the San Francisco 49ers' head coach from 2011 to 2014, which included a trip to the Super Bowl and two losses in the NFC Championship game.
The changing landscape of college football — NIL, transfer portal, endless recruiting — would make a jump back to the NFL an attractive option for Harbaugh.
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