“The Chargers have not really been shy about their interest,” this is what ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported about the interest in Jim Harbaugh from the Los Angeles-based NFL side. And it looks like The LA Chargers aren’t also shy when it comes to splashing big money to acquire his services. After leading the Michigan Wolverines to the National Championship title, HC Jim Harbaugh seems ready to take the first cab off his rank for a reappearance in the pro league.

It wasn’t long after the firing of their HC Arthur Smith when the Atlanta Falcons invited Harbaugh to visit their campus. It could be intimidating for the Chargers; so much so that in order to entice the Michigan HC, a lucrative annual deal that would amount to $18 million annually was reportedly presented to the HC. 

Will Jim Harbaugh return to the team he played for two years?

The Chargers interviewed Jim Harbaugh for their head coaching vacancy on Monday, and it is reported that the meeting went to plan. Meanwhile, on Tuesday, the 60-year-old HC interviewed with the Falcons who are also looking to sign him. Following this incident, the Chargers have reportedly raised his contract offer with James Yoder of Michigan Football Report stating the rumored proposal, “The Chargers are preparing a 15 to maybe as high as $18 million per year offer.”

The rumored $18 million annual offer that the Chargers are willing to make for Jim Harbaugh expands over a five-year deal amounting to a staggering $90 million. Harbaugh has previously coached in the NFL and has a prior relationship with the Chargers and the Spanos family that owns the team. He played for the team in 1999 and 2000.

The Chargers are looking for a new coach and general manager after Brandon Staley and Tom Telesco were fired on Dec. 15, a day after a 63-21 loss in Las Vegas to the Raiders. Jeremy Fowler of ESPN also reported that interest from Chargers and Harbaugh is mutual. He said, “it is real, it’s legitimate. I believe Harbaugh has a mutual interest as well. The chance with that quarterback, Justin Herbert, to make something happen.” Another development also suggests that Harbaugh might be headed to the NFL.

He recently hired Don Yee as his new agent. Yee represents Denver Broncos coach Sean Payton, who was the most sought-after coaching free agent last year. This is also not the first time he has been linked with an NFL side. He had discussions with the Minnesota Vikings two years ago and interviewed with the Broncos and Carolina Panthers last year. But Michigan isn’t also letting go of their HC easily.

In its report, Yahoo noted that Michigan has already offered Harbaugh a six-year contract worth $11.5 million annually, which would make him the highest-paid coach in college football. With three NFC championship titles and a Super Bowl appearance under his belt, Harbaugh remains a force to reckon with, especially in resurrecting a team like the Chargers that needs a revival. 

Jim Harbaugh’s hype as a football head coach

Jim Harbaugh’s successful reputation as a football HC is evident from his stint as the San Francisco 49ers HC from 2011 to 2014, leading them to three conference titles and an appearance in Super Bowl XLVII. Then his nine seasons in Michigan saw him bringing out the best in the Wolverines who are the reigning National champions. Harbaugh has a record of 86-25 record with Michigan. But between the strife between the LA Chargers and the Atlanta Falcons, there is only suspense in the air.

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The 2011 NFL Coach of the Year interviewed with the Chargers on Monday for the HC vacancy, making everyone assume that LA would be a potential landing place for Harbaugh. But his second interview in two days with the Falcons has brought more speculations as he becomes the second high-profile candidate after Bill Belichick to interview for Atlanta.

These are the only two teams that Jim Harbaugh has interviewed for so far. Perhaps, the question is whether Harbaugh will join the Chargers or the Falcons, and not whether he’ll remain in college football or return to the NFL. And if it comes to that, the Chargers’ finances and football operations might tip the scale in their favor.

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