Report: Raiders Have Had “Informal Contact” With Jim Harbaugh

According to Jason Cole of the Bleacher Report, intermediaries for the Oakland Raiders have been in contact with intermediaries from 49ers HC Jim Harbaugh in recent weeks.

While there hasn’t been any direct contact up to this point, Cole mentions that the Raiders have made it clear they are interested in hiring Harbaugh as their next head coach.

However, Cole expects there to be plenty of competition for his services now that the Dolphins lost their Week 14 matchup and the Jets have reportedly had interest in him all along. Cole is the latest NFL insider to rule out the University of Michigan as a possibility for Harbaugh.

As for concerns about the 49ers’ struggles this season, Cole doesn’t think it will have any impact on Harbaugh’s value and instead expects there to be a bidding war for his services.

Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, citing league sources, reported on Sunday that Raiders owner Mark Davis is preparing to spend big money and part with draft picks in order to land Harbaugh.

• Several sources tell La Canfora that they believe Oakland will be Harbaugh “most serious suitor” during the offseason.
• According to La Canfora, “it is a foregone conclusion he will not be back in San Francisco” next year and the team is reportedly looking to get draft compensation in return for their head coach.

Harbaugh still has one year remaining on his contract, so it seems certain that any team willing to trade for him would have to get a new extension in place to justify the price they paid.

Oakland is almost a lock to have a top-five pick next year, even after their win over the 49ers. However, parting with draft picks that high would be very difficult, especially when you consider the current state of their roster.

It makes you wonder if Harbaugh would even want to take a job where the team just gave up a package of premium picks to get him.

We’ll have more regarding a potential Harbaugh trade as the news is available.