Had Jim Harbaugh chosen to sign with the Falcons or the Chargers?
Freshly appointed head coach Jim Harbaugh brought his success from Michigan to the Los Angeles Chargers, having led the Wolverines to an undefeated 15-0 season. This remarkable achievement included a Rose Bowl victory over the Alabama Crimson Tide and a triumph in the 2024 College Football Playoff National Championship against the Washington Huskies. In his nine years at Michigan, Harbaugh accumulated an impressive 86-25 overall record, securing eight bowl appearances and six seasons with 10 or more wins.
Before his tenure at Michigan, Harbaugh, a former professional quarterback, served as the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers. During his four years with the Niners from 2011 to 2014, he achieved a notable 44-19-1 overall record, guiding the team to three consecutive playoff appearances, culminating in an appearance in the 2012 Super Bowl, where he famously faced off against his brother John’s Baltimore Ravens.
According to ESPN’s Bill Barnwell, the Los Angeles Chargers were likely the only team among the eight NFL franchises with head coach openings willing to grant significant control over front office decisions to a new hire. The Atlanta Falcons, another prominent head coach opening, were also in the running for Harbaugh’s services. Ultimately, Harbaugh opted for the Chargers, and the Falcons chose Raheem Morris.
Looking back at this decision, it appears Harbaugh made the right choice. The Falcons, led by Arthur Smith, finished with a 7-10 record for the second consecutive year, utilizing quarterbacks Desmond Ridder and Taylor Heinicke. In contrast, Los Angeles, with its identity as a major entertainment hub and desirable destination for free agents, provided Harbaugh with a more favorable situation. The key asset in this scenario is Pro Bowl quarterback Justin Herbert, whose potential surpasses that of Ridder and Heinicke, giving Harbaugh a better chance to succeed, provided some late-game issues from the 2023 season are addressed.
