The regular season isn’t quite over either, but speculation continues to circulate about job security for the Arizona Cardinals and head coach Cliff Kingsbury.
Kingsbury told reporters on Monday: “Today the focus is on me being the head coach and trying to get better.
Only time will tell if Cardinals owner Michael Bidwill has enough interest in eating away the money he owes Kingsbury and bringing a fresh face to the organization.
If that happens, the clubhouse leader may just have emerged.
It feels like every offseason there are rumors about Jim Harbaugh and his possible NFL return. Before assuming his current role at Michigan, Harbaugh led the San Francisco 49ers to his third consecutive NFC title his game and one appearance to the Super Bowl.
But the longer his tenure in Ann Arbor, the more it feels like Harbaugh is destined to return. Harbaugh reportedly met with the Minnesota Vikings last year before the vacancy was filled.
Now, speculation about Harbaugh’s return to the league has resurfaced after Michigan lost the college football playoffs to TCU.
According to The Athletic, people close to Harbaugh say he would go to the NFL if he had a job.
“Multiple sources close to Jim Harbaugh told The Athletic on Monday that they expect him to leave Michigan for the NFL if the franchise offers him a coaching job.
A person close to Harbaugh reportedly said, “If he gets an offer, I think it’s a closed deal.”
Teams such as the Broncos and the Colts (a source told the All-Cardinals that they will give Harbaugh a strong boost) are clearly good candidates for head coaching.
But should the Cardinals throw their hats in the ring?
We’ve already covered this topic in a little more detail (you can read it here), but it can lead to even worse adoption.
Given that Harbaugh is grouped into the pool of potential head coach candidates this offseason, Harbaugh finds himself a prime candidate when experience and results are factored in.
Harbaugh’s current buyout is $3 million, so Bidwill and others within the organization consider that acquisition price as opposed to, say, Sean Payton and the New Orleans Saints settling for him. (You don’t get a first-round pick).
But from a football point of view, it makes a lot of sense to bring in Harbaugh. Whether or not he sets his sights on Arizona is an entirely different topic, but a recent visit to the State Farm’s stadium may have shown him a special treat.
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