Jim Harbaugh has flirted with a return to the NFL in recent years, and there is speculation that he is looking to leave Michigan and become a professional head coach again in 2023.
Harbaugh put out a tepid note about his intention to stay with the Wolverines, but the oddsmakers believe he is a prime candidate for multiple open head coaching gigs.
Here is a look at Harbaugh’s odds to join the Arizona Cardinals, Indianapolis Colts, Carolina Panthers and Denver Broncos via DraftKings on January 12. There are no odds currently listed for the open Houston Texans gig.
Jim Harbaugh’s Odds to be the Next Arizona Cardinals Coach: +1500
Harbaugh coached the San Francisco 49ers for several years, so Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill had an up-close look at his success twice each season.
But there is not a lot of buzz about Harbaugh heading to Arizona, as the big fish the Cardinals seem to be going after is Sean Payton. Harbaugh’s odds to become the next Arizona head coach are tied for the sixth-highest alongside Eagles offensive coordinator Shane Steichen.
Payton and Cardinals defensive coordinator Vance Joseph are listed as the co-favorites at +300 odds, followed by 49ers defensive coordinator DeMeco Ryans, Buccaneers offensive coordinator Byron Leftwich and Lions offensive coordinator Ben Johnson at +1400 each.
Jim Harbaugh’s Odds to be the Next Carolina Panthers Coach: +1200
Harbaugh is similarly lurking as more of a longshot candidate in Carolina. The Panthers are looking for Matt Rhule’s replacement but it’s unknown if owner David Tepper has interest in Harbaugh.
Steichen is the current favorite to be the next coach of the Panthers at +300 odds, followed by Ryans and interim coach Steve Wilks at +500. Ben Johnson (+650), Mike Kafka (+800), and Frank Reich (+850) also have superior odds to be the next coach of Carolina.
It’s not crystal clear what the Panthers plan to do with their open position, but Harbaugh has not been linked there as much as two other openings.
Jim Harbaugh’s Odds to be the Next Indianapolis Colts Coach: +350
Harbaugh is the favorite to be the next head coach of the Indianapolis Colts, though not at overwhelmingly favorable odds. The oddsmakers aren’t too confident in handicapping this one, as Dan Quinn (+600), Ben Johnson (+650), Bills defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier (+750) and interim coach Jeff Saturday (+800) are next on the list.
Harbaugh played for the Colts from 1994 through 1997, and thus has a past relationship with owner Jim Irsay. Harbaugh made his only Pro Bowl appearance with Indy in 1995 and was inducted into the team’s Ring of Honor in 2005.
There is a belief that Irsay will target Harbaugh to be the next coach, although the odds suggest that DraftKings doesn’t foresee it as a done deal.
Jim Harbaugh’s Odds to be the Next Denver Broncos Coach: +330
The Broncos have new ownership and seem to be interested in both Harbaugh and Payton. Cowboys defensive coordinator Dan Quinn is the current favorite to get this gig at +125 odds, followed by Harbaugh. Payton is listed with the third-best odds but at a distant +700.
The Broncos would have to give up draft capital in order to trade for Payton, and it could be something they balk at after dealing so much of it in the Russell Wilson trade. Harbaugh would not cost anything beyond money, and Denver has plenty of that with Wal-Mart heir Rob Walton at the forefront.
So as it stands, Denver and Indianapolis are clearly the two most likely destinations, but both at odds of longer than 3-to-1, which suggests that returning to Michigan is seen as a realistic move for Harbaugh.
He was in line to accept the Minnesota Vikings’ head coaching opening last season but something went awry, so we will see if the offseason carousel results in an NFL head coaching position for Harbaugh in 2023.
