Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh is among the hottest teaching candidates within the NFL this 12 months, however prying him away from the Michigan Wolverines will not be straightforward.
Harbaugh seems to be one of many high targets for the Colts, and at the very least one of many NFL’s high contenders, his providers, is out of the working.
In keeping with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports activities, Harbaugh pushed to speak to the Carolina Panthers, solely to be despatched packing.
“Panthers not too long ago spoke with Jim Harbaugh, however solely after a lot persistence from Harbaugh,” Jones tweeted. “Carolina plans to focus efforts elsewhere.”
The Colts look like excited about bringing of their former quarterback as their head coach subsequent season, however will face stiff competitors even when the Panthers are waived.
The largest competitors would possibly come from the Wolverines themselves. Harbaugh was the 12th highest paid soccer coach within the NCAA to begin the season at simply over $7 million. 4 coaches earn at the very least $10 million.
The College of Michigan has the monetary muscle to make Harbaugh the highest-paid coach in school soccer, however have they got the heart to offer him a long-term contact that places him on par with a few of his friends?
The Denver Broncos have the NFL’s richest house owners and want to lease their sparkle. Harbaugh and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton look like two of their high candidates.
One other attainable contender entered the fray Monday morning when the Houston Texans fired Lovie Smith after Sunday’s win over the Colts.
Regardless of the Colts being named the worst open job within the NFL by ESPN final week, Indianapolis is an efficient vacation spot for Harbaugh or any head coach.
The Colts’ loss to the Texans moved them to No. four within the NFL draft. Three quarterbacks are anticipated to go within the high ten picks, and the Colts might transfer up within the draft to have the draft decide.
Or he might wager that considered one of Bryce Younger, CJ Stroud or Will Levis will probably be accessible at No. four. It looks like a low-risk gamble, however the Atlanta Falcons went No. four in 2021 and watched three quarterbacks go. with the highest three picks, together with San Francisco buying and selling a haul for the rights to draft Trey Lance at No. three.
NFL Draft Prospect Rankings
The Colts are in good condition with slightly below $30 million in wage cap area accessible earlier than making any strikes (together with liberating up $17 million after they reduce Matt Ryan).
Indianapolis was thought to have an excellent core of younger gamers heading into 2022, together with Jonathan Taylor, Shaq Leonard and Quenton Nelson, amongst others.
Any new coach, together with probably Harbaugh, ought to discover a rookie franchise quarterback, loads of cap area and a younger, gifted core of gamers as an thrilling alternative for a fast turnaround.