Jim Harbaugh Reportedly Keeping An Eye On Bears Job

Matt Eberflus is sitting on the edge of a cliff. It's only the second year of his tenure as Chicago Bears head coach. Standard NFL procedure says one should get three years to get a team on track. That is under normal circumstances. Eberflus has failed to adhere to that. After going 3-14 in his first season, things have not improved in 2023. The Bears are 1-5 and once again in contention for the 1st overall pick. Unless there is a significant turnaround down the stretch, Eberflus will have the worst winning percentage by far of any coach in Bears history. That is why many experts believe he will be gone next off-season. Then, the search begins for a replacement. Enter Jim Harbaugh.

After a failed attempt to secure a successful first-time head coach, many believe the best way forward is to find somebody with proven experience. Harbaugh is an obvious choice. He got San Francisco to three consecutive NFC championship games. Now, he's transformed Michigan into a powerhouse and a current favorite to reach the national championship game. Winning is something he's done everywhere. According to David Kaplan of ESPN 1000, he might be hoping the next place is Chicago.

Jim Harbaugh rumors have persisted for years.

This dates back to 2018 when the Bears job became available after firing John Fox. It was reported that he viewed Chicago as his "dream" destination in the NFL. It makes sense. The Bears drafted him in 1987, and he was their starter during the last successful seasons under Mike Ditka. Returning to save the franchise no doubt appeals to him. In the end, Matt Nagy got the job. He had another chance last year as well. George McCaskey and his search committee didn't even bother meeting him.

Perhaps he thinks this time around will be different. He has one good reason to. Kevin Warren is now the team president for the Bears. Before that, he was commissioner of the Big Ten conference, which Michigan plays in. He and Jim Harbaugh already have an established relationship. If anybody can give him an inroad to Chicago, it would be Warren. Much of this depends on who runs the search in January. If Ryan Poles remains the GM, it could complicate matters.

One source informed SM that Harbaugh would want roster control, still haunted by how things fell apart with GM Trent Baalke in San Francisco. It seems unlikely Poles would give that up. Something to keep in mind as the off-season draws closer.