Report: “Mutual Interest” Between The Raiders & Jim Harbaugh

Update:

Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports that there is “mutual interest” between the Raiders and Jim Harbaugh.

• Oakland reportedly wants a “rockstar” head coach and Harbaugh is intrigued by the situation.

According to Rapoport, Harbaugh would first pick the team he wants to be traded to and the two parties would then work on the compensation.

After that, Harbaugh would be released from his contract and sign a new deal with his new team.

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Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports, citing league sources, reports that Raiders owner Mark Davis is preparing to spend big money and part with draft picks in order to land Jim Harbaugh as their next head coach.

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.

There is, however, another team that could pursue a trade Harbaugh. La Canfora mentions that Miami Dolphins owner Stephen Ross remains one of Harbaugh’s biggest supporters and is “desperate for a face-of-the-franchise to attract fan support.”

La Canfora also mentions the Jets as another possibility to keep eye on for Harbaugh. However, it would most likely require them to part ways with GM Jon Idzik in order for this to be an option.

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, as he has one year remaining on his current deal.

In the past few weeks, there has been some speculation that Harbaugh could be an option for his alma mater — the University of Michigan — but multiple reports have downplayed the idea.

Oakland is almost a lock to have a top-five pick next year. Parting ways with 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 picks to get him.

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