We truly miss you: a best player for Michigan is making a move to

As NFL rumors swirl, Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh is keeping a “one-track mind” ahead of Monday’s College Football Playoff.

This week, he avoided queries regarding his relationship with the Los Angeles Chargers, who have an open coaching position. According to ESPN College GameDay analyst and former Michigan star Desmond Howard, based on what happened during the 2023 season — including Harbaugh’s late-season suspension imposed by the Big Ten and commissioner Tony Petitti — this could be an opportunity for Harbaugh to clean his hands and start fresh in the NFL.

“For Michigan fans, first and foremost, they look at it as a distraction, some sort of recruiting distraction,” Howard told ESPN’s Pat McAfee on Thursday. “They see us as people attempting to distract recruits from signing.” But, to be honest, if I’m Jim Harbaugh and that’s something you hear circulating… if I were in (Harbaugh’s) position and the way my commissioner handled this situation, it would be a possibility for me. I’m at an age where you won’t just treat me anyway you want just because you believe you can. Jim had a birthday recently, I believe he turned 61.”

Howard believes Michigan “knows their mission” and that NFL rumors will not distract the Wolverines ahead of the Rose Bowl.

Harbaugh, who has won three consecutive Big Ten championships, initially discussed his career possibilities in November of this year. He recalled a past chat with his father about instructing for as long as he possibly could. According to Alejandro Zuniga, after taking a photo with numerous fourth and fifth-year players at Michigan’s football awards luncheon before leaving for Pasadena, Harbaugh made a remark that received some of the night’s loudest chuckles and applause.

“I’d just like to say that I hope some of you are coming back next year,” Harbaugh stated, according to The Michigan Insider.

Despite his frequent flirtations with the next level, NFL media remains wary of Harbaugh’s pro prospects. Earlier this season, the Michigan Insider stated that insiders expect Harbaugh to entertain NFL rumors again, including a probable opening with the Chicago Bears, but some of those speculations have calmed down.

According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, Harbaugh’s job at Ann Arbor isn’t done yet, and it will need two more wins this season before speculation resumes. He feels the same way Howard does.

“To me, he’s always wanted to bring a national championship to Michigan, and I think if he brings a national championship to Michigan, I would think there’ll be a part of him that feels like he set out to do what he intended all along,” Schefter said this month on the Pat McAfee Show. “And I believe that would give him even more freedom to make the leap to the NFL.” He has examined this in each of the last two years. Minnesota made an appearance two years ago.

Prior to the 2022 season, Harbaugh signed a five-year deal, which was followed by continued NFL flirtations during the winter. Another extension has been discussed, but nothing has been signed by the veteran coach.