Could Jim Harbaugh be one of the few coaches the Chicago Bears would consider replacing Matt Eberflus with?
According to Tony Pauline of Sportskeedia, numerous schools have expressed interest in Michigan’s current head coach. Are you one of them? The Raiders of Las Vegas, the Chargers of Los Angeles, and, yes, the Bears.
“Two other teams have shown significant interest in Harbaugh: the Chicago Bears and the Washington Commanders,” Pauline wrote on January 7.
“While the Bears have indicated that Matt Eberflus will return as head coach, I am told that a change is possible if the franchise believes it can entice Harbaugh.” The fact that the organization holds the first pick in the 2024 NFL Draft as well as a second pick halfway through the draft makes the Chicago job even more appealing.
More on the Bears and Jim Harbaugh NFL Rumors and Interest
According to NFL insider Ian Rapoport, Harbaugh, who guided the 14-0 Michigan Wolverines to the College Football National Championship game this year, “is open” to NFL teams’ interest.
On December 24, Rapoport claimed that Harbaugh had been offered a 10-year, $125-million contract extension by the University of Michigan. It’s an extension with a no-NFL provision. As a result, Harbaugh is faced with a major decision.
If he does return to the NFL, Pauline suggested two individuals to keep an eye on as prospective assistant coaches for Harbaugh.
“I’m told that, aside from football, where to best relocate his family will be a significant determining factor in his upcoming decision,” Pauline wrote, adding, “If Harbaugh eventually takes a head-coaching job at the next level, he’ll have to assemble a staff.” Greg Roman and Willie Taggart are two names to watch for on a future coaching staff.”
The Bears are set to make a significant coaching change this week.
Matt Eberflus, the Bears’ current head coach, has a 10-24 record in his two seasons in charge. Eberflus is 2-10 versus Chicago’s NFC North divisional opponents, and he has only beaten one winning team in his tenure (the Detroit Lions in Week 14 this year).
The Bears began the season with four straight losses, going 2-7 through the first nine games. However, as the season continued, he improved. Chicago concluded the regular season with a 7-10 record, going 5-3 in its final eight games.
With the Bears’ second-half surge, particularly on defense, the buzz around Halas Hall is that Eberflus is sticking put. According to ESPN source Adam Schefter and others who watch the Bears, Eberflus is expected to return.
SB Nation’s Windy City Gridiron recently polled 37 members of the media to see if they feel Eberflus will return. Eighty-four percent of those polled replied yes.
However, after losing 17-9 to the rival Green Bay Packers to conclude the season, Bears general manager Ryan Poles and the organization’s leadership should take a hard look at what is best for the team moving forward.
Harbaugh’s ties to Chicago have been well-documented; he is a former Bears quarterback whose mentor, Mike Ditka, is a team legend. If the current Michigan head coach is willing to return to the Windy City, he would be a huge asset to the squad.
Harbaugh has a 117-46 record as a college head coach and a 44-19-1 record in the NFL. The way Chicago came together and performed better in the second half of the season is important, but is it as important as Eberflus’ inability to beat divisional opponents or good teams? We’ll find out soon enough whether Poles and company agree.
Regardless, it’s evident that many Bears Nation members desire a change.
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