Michigan football: The wait continues with Jim Harbaugh

Outside of focusing on Alabama and the Rose Bowl, there is one question on the minds of every Michigan football fan: What is Jim Harbaugh going to do?

Will he sign the five-year, $55-million extension reportedly offered? Will Harbaugh look for another NFL opportunity?

It's unclear what NFL opportunities might be available for Jim Harbaugh. But the Raiders would make sense and the Chargers could too. He's got ties to those franchises.

But there is a lot to consider, including his family. However, there is a reason that Harbaugh hasn't signed the deal offered to extend his run as Michigan football head coach, while also becoming the highest-paid coach in the Big Ten.

The contract reportedly includes a clause that Harbaugh won't entertain NFL offers in 2024. That could be one reason why Harbaugh hasn't signed it yet, although according to Chris Balas of The Wolverine, Harbaugh's lawyers are "asking for more guarantees."

It's hard to know if that means money or language to protect Harbaugh with the NCAA investigation. Harbaugh is surely focused on the Rose Bowl and trying to win a national championship.

But if that happens -- a national title -- and the Raiders offered Harbaugh the chance to be their head coach, it might be tough to say no. Heck, if J.J. McCarthy declared for the NFL draft, Harbaugh could draft him.

Give Harbaugh a quarterback like that for the next 5-10 years and he could have a real chance to win the Super Bowl he's always wanted. It would be hard to blame him if Michigan football is able to win the national championship.

Hell, i wouldn't blame him if the Wolverines didn't win it all. Harbaugh has led Michigan football to three consecutive Big Ten titles -- a feat that seemed impossible just a few years ago.

Harbaugh doesn't owe Michigan any more than he's already given. I want him to stay as he said he would after flirting with the Vikings job. Redardless, I'd offer nothing but a sincere thank you if Harbaugh leaves for the NFL after this season.

Harbaugh deserves that. My hope is that Sherrone Moore would be kept as the next head coach, which would hopefully, keep things progressing.

Either way, there are plenty of unknowns and some of them won't be known until Jim Harbaugh signs on the dotted line with Michigan football or someone else.

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