National Football League

Jim Harbaugh next team odds: Reports say Chargers, Harbaugh are close to deal

Updated Jan. 23, 2024 1:42 p.m. ET

Will he or won't he?

That is the question on every bettor's mind when it comes to Jim Harbaugh and the NFL.

The Michigan coach, former Wolverines quarterback and "Michigan man" has now been interviewed for multiple NFL coaching vacancies, causing his next team odds to shift significantly over the last week.

And now, one franchise is firmly in the lead, as it is set to have Harbaugh in the building for a second time on Tuesday and is within "striking distance" of a deal, according to NFL Network.

Here's a look at the updated betting board.

JIM HARBAUGH'S NEXT DESTINATION ODDS: *

Los Angeles Chargers: -380 (bet $10 to win $12.63 total)
Not the head coach of an NFL team +175 (bet $10 to win $27.50)
Atlanta Falcons: +850 (bet $10 to win $95 total)
Any other NFL or NCAA team: +1600 (bet $10 to win $170 total)
Washington Commanders: +3500 (bet $10 to win $360 total)

* odds as of 1/23/24

At DraftKings Sportsbook, the Chargers' odds of landing Harbaugh shifted drastically near the end of last week, going from -150 to -300.

But with Tuesday's latest reports, the Chargers became even bigger favorites to land Harbaugh.

"Herbert and him [Harbaugh] makes a lot of sense," said FOX Sports NFL Insider Peter Schrager recently. "I think Harbaugh to the NFL happens now. The timing is right. But he needs to be offered the job. So we'll see how it plays out in the next few days, but I think the Chargers are the favorites to land Jim Harbaugh."

Harbaugh is just over a few weeks removed from guiding Michigan to its first national title since 1997, and now, the conversation has completely turned to whether he will return to his alma mater as head coach or if he will once again take his talents to the NFL sidelines.

Last week, FOX Sports college football analyst RJ Young said he is curious to see if Chargers owner Dean Spanos writes a big enough check to land Harbaugh.

"After going 15-0, winning the National Championship at Michigan, I don't think anybody at Michigan would begrudge him the opportunity to coach in the NFL once again," said Young, host of the The Number One College Football Show podcast. "Interviewing with the Chargers, I think, is interesting for a number of reasons, not the least of which is that I would love to see Dean Spanos spend the kind of money that Jim Harbaugh would be looking for to hire a head coach. Then I would like to see L.A. Chargers fans go, 'Yo dog, where has this been the whole time?'"

Jim Harbugh interviews with the Los Angeles Chargers

Harbaugh played for the San Diego Chargers (1999-2000) at the end of his career. On paper, the Bolts job appears to be the most coveted on the market, considering they have a 25-year-old quarterback who was a Pro Bowler in 2021 in Justin Herbert.

He also spent four seasons as head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, guiding them to Super Bowl XLVII — where they lost to his brother John Harbaugh's Baltimore Ravens — and two NFC Championship appearances in his first three seasons. The two sides mutually parted ways after the 2014 season, and Harbaugh then took over at Michigan.

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