Indianapolis Colts have One Less Competitor for Harbaugh

Former Indianapolis Colts quarterback Jim Harbaugh is among the hottest teaching candidates within the NFL this yr, however prying him away from the Michigan Wolverines will not be simple.

Harbaugh seems to be one of many prime targets for the Colts, and least one of many main-NFL rivals his companies is out of the race.

In line with Jonathan Jones of CBS Sports activities, Harbaugh pushed to speak with the Carolina Panthers, solely to be despatched packing. 

“The Panthers spoke with Jim Harbaugh lately however solely after a great deal of persistence on Harbaugh’s aspect,” wrote Jones on Twitter. “Carolina plans to focus its efforts elsewhere.”

The Colts appear to be enthusiastic about bringing of their former quarterback as head coach subsequent season, however they’re going to face stiff competitors even when the Panthers are out. 

The most important competitors may come from the Wolverines themselves. Harbaugh was the Twelfth-highest paid soccer coach within the NCAA to start out the season at simply over $7 million. 4 coaches make no less than $10 million.

The College of Michigan has the monetary would possibly to make Harbaugh the best paid coach in school soccer, however have they got the fortitude to offer him a long-term contact that places him on equal footing with a few of his friends?

The Denver Broncos have the NFL’s richest homeowners and want to make a splash rent. Harbaugh and former New Orleans Saints head coach Sean Payton appear to be two of their prime candidates.

One other attainable competitor entered the fray on Monday morning when the Houston Texans sacked Lovie Smith after Sunday’s win over the Colts. 

Regardless of the Colts being deemed the worst open job within the NFL by ESPN final week, Indianapolis is an efficient vacation spot for Harbaugh or any would-be head coach.

The Colts’ loss to the Texans moved them as much as the No. 4 spot within the NFL Draft. Three quarterbacks are anticipated to go within the top-ten picks, and the Colts may transfer up within the draft to have the choose of the litter. 

Or they might gamble that considered one of Bryce Younger, C.J. Stroud, or Will Levis might be obtainable at No. 4. That looks as if a low-risk gamble, however the Atlanta Falcons stood pat at No. 4 in 2021 and watched three quarterbacks go along with the primary three picks, together with the San Francisco buying and selling a haul for the rights to draft Trey Lance at No. 3. 

NFL Draft Prospect Rankings

The Colts are in fine condition with the wage cap with just below $30 million obtainable earlier than making any strikes (together with liberating up $17 million once they minimize Matt Ryan). 

Indianapolis was thought to have an excellent nucleus of younger gamers heading into 2022 together with Jonathan Taylor, Shaq Leonard, and Quenton Nelson amongst others.

Any new coach, together with presumably Harbaugh, ought to discover a rookie-franchise quarterback, loads of cap house, and a younger, gifted core of gamers as an thrilling alternative for a fast turnaround.