Next Team Odds: Jim Harbaugh More Likely To Stay At Michigan Than Take NFL Job

Jim Harbaugh met with the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday, according to NFL Network, as he shows interest in returning to the NFL for a third straight offseason.
Will Michigan’s head coach finally make the jump back to the pros?
DraftKings has handicapped the proceedings and believes Harbaugh will work out an extension with the Wolverines, where he just won a national championship, rather than make the jump back into the NFL in 2024. If Harbaugh does return to the NFL following his past success with the 49ers, the Chargers are the clear favorites.
Here is a look at the Next Team Odds for Jim Harbaugh, per DraftKings on January 15:
- Not The Head Coach of an NFL Team -250
- Los Angeles Chargers +135
- Any Other NFL Team +650
- Atlanta Falcons +1300
- Washington Commanders +1800
- Las Vegas Raiders +1800
- Chicago Bears +3500
- Tennessee Titans +4000
- Carolina Panthers +5000
- New Orleans Saints +7500
- New York Giants +10000
- New York Jets +10000
Harbaugh has had dalliances with both the Broncos and Vikings in recent years but never came to an agreement and stayed at Michigan.
He has great leverage now, and can either parlay that into a fantastic deal to stay in Ann Arbor or make the move to an NFL team.
While the Chargers make the most sense, it is of note that ‘Any Other NFL Team’ has higher odds than the rest of the current openings. It is possible that high-profile gigs like the Cowboys and/or Eagles could come open, depending on the playoff results and corresponding mood of ownership.
That door isn’t closed, but as it stands DraftKings feels like it is a two-team race for Harbaugh’s services between the Chargers and a return to Michigan.
The Raiders reportedly have interest, but they are deemed longshots. Interim coach Antonio Pierce did a nice job down the stretch and may retain that job.
Harbaugh has seemed close to jumping back into the NFL each of the past couple years and is clearly considering it again for 2024.
As of now, DraftKings believes a return to college is the most likely move, but if the Chargers or some other team makes the right pitch and contractual offer, Harbaugh’s next team could be one back in the professional ranks.