San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh will have suitors this offseason and a trade is an option for some NFL teams, as the Oakland Raiders, NY Jets, New York Giants and Cleveland Browns all could be interested in making a move, while the University of Michigan also likely will come calling now that they have dismissed Brady Hoke after a disappointing 2014 season with the Wolverines.
Harbaugh and the 49ers have had their issues in the past and there have also been reports over the last year about tension between Harbaugh and the front office. According to Adam Schefter at ESPN.com, the Niners are not planning on resolving the situation with Harbaugh until the season ends, meaning that it's unlikely the sides come to a contract extension before that. Harbaugh is heading into the final year of his contract for the 2015 season.
Harbaugh has had great success with the 49ers, taking the team to three straight NFC championship games and one Super Bowl, but his abrasive style may have worn the organization out. Schefter writes that the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets are potential teams that could be interested in a deal, which comes after the Cleveland Browns previously tried to trade for Harbaugh last year. The Niners may miss the playoffs this season and that could be a big factor in what the organization decides to do.
Harbaugh has been mentioned as a potential target for Michigan in the past and he could be interested in that job, although it's unlikely that he would return to the college ranks. The Niners are now 7-5 and they may need to win their final four games for a chance at making the playoffs. The team was hit hard by the Seahawks on Thanksgiving and they now have two road games with the Raiders and Seahawks before playing the Chargers and Cardinals at home.
