CBS Sports news: Raiders are reportedly set to strike a deal with Jim Harbaugh in the NFL…
According to CBS Sports’ Jason La Canfora, the Miami Dolphins are interested in hiring Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh, joining the Las Vegas Raiders among NFL teams that are drawn to the prospect of signing the defending Big Ten champion. If Harbaugh is interested in moving to Miami, Dolphins owner Stephen Ross—a Michigan alumni and significant donor—may try to entice him, according to people La Canfora speaks with.
“Ross has long coveted Harbaugh and, at this stage of his life with a succession plan for ownership already in place, passing on Harbaugh might be difficult,” La Canfora wrote Saturday. “Harbaugh also played for the Bears and is well known at Halas Hall, with that franchise pondering sweeping changes and considering a multitude of former players for a multitude of roles.”
In the days after Michigan’s march to a Big Ten Championship and a College Football Playoff spot this season—the experienced coach’s greatest at the program—rumors about Harbaugh departing to rejoin the NFL are getting stronger.
The initial rumors that connected Harbaugh to a potential NFL comeback with the Raiders originated from The Athletic, and they seemed to be an annual talking topic. Before the 2021 season, Harbaugh renegotiated his contract with Michigan and took a pay reduction, yet he still managed to elevate the program with a standout season.
The Michigan Insider claims that when a recruit posed the NFL question to Harbaugh last month, he answered it head-on. The player’s parents told The Michigan Insider that they were forced to honor Harbaugh’s candor.
When NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport appeared on The Rich Eisen Show on Friday, he made the assumption that Harbaugh was more interested in getting paid more than he was in leaving. Following Bruce Feldman’s report of possible interest in the Chicago Bears and Raiders, the talk started earlier this week.
“In my opinion, he appears to be in a similar predicament as he was the previous year: is he considering whether the NFL may offer him a better opportunity? “I believe he would most likely glance,” Rapoport stated. I don’t want to disparage anything that was mentioned, but it seems to me that when someone takes a wage cut and then gets to shove it where the sun doesn’t want to shine, As we just mentioned, money is typically at play, isn’t it? Indeed, he made all the right noises about taking a salary cut, but is he really using the media to his advantage to threaten to leave for the NFL if he doesn’t get paid more? You know, it makes a lot of sense. I’m not claiming that’s the reason for it.
After seven seasons as Michigan’s head coach, Harbaugh has wrapped up his most prosperous campaign to date. Under head coach Jim Harbaugh, the Wolverines are 61-24. This year, they advanced to the NCAA Tournament for the first time, defeating Ohio State in the process.
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Former Saints offensive lineman is being signed by the Raiders
Due to their numerous personnel weaknesses and continued lack of a great quarterback, the Las Vegas Raiders are facing an uncertain future.
They selected Brock Bowers, a tight end from the University of Georgia who many believe has star potential, with the 13th overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft.
According to Ian Rapoport, the Raiders signed free agent Andrus Peat on Monday, adding to the offensive line support they needed.
Peat has spent nine NFL seasons as a player, all with the New Orleans Saints. He has been an integral part of the transition from the Drew Brees era to the current one led by quarterback Derek Carr.
Naturally, Carr spent his first nine seasons as a player with the Raiders before the 2023 season.
Aidan O’Connell, a rookie who replaced veteran Jimmy Garoppolo under center last season, is the quarterback for the Raiders currently. The team also fired head coach Josh McDaniels and hired Antonio Pierce in his place at roughly the same time.
They do have some genuine potential, besides the quarterback position, in wide receivers Davante Adams and Jakobi Meyers, as well as defensive end Maxx Crosby.
Additionally, they signed Gardner Minshew to a two-year, $25 million contract as a reliable backup quarterback, but there’s always a chance he replaces O’Connell as the starting quarterback.
A strong defensive line from Peat and the rest of the offensive line will be necessary for either Minshew or O’Connell, a fourth-round pick last year, to succeed as a signal-caller.
Even yet, it is difficult to see Las Vegas qualifying for the postseason this coming season, particularly in the AFC, which is stronger and more competitive.
