San Francisco 49ers head coach Jim Harbaugh has been the subject of rumors for most of 2014. At this point, Harbaugh leaving the 49ers by trade looks more and more likely, and the Oakland Raiders are the top destination, according to a report from CBS Sports NFL insider Jason La Canfora.
Michigan, where Harbaugh played quarterback in the 80s, was mentioned again as a possibility several days ago. However, because of his interest to remain in the NFL, that option is not likely to happen, according to La Canfora. Michigan officials contacted Harbaugh, according to Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network, but reportedly came away convinced that he did not want to leave the NFL coaching ranks.
The Raiders are said to be willing to use draft picks and money to bring in Harbaugh -- who has one year remaining on his current deal -- as their new head coach. The report says that the 49ers do not want to trade Harbaugh to a team in the conference, and while Oakland sharing a media market isn't ideal, the Raiders may offer more and be the best option.
Other possible destinations include the Miami Dolphins, who tried to hire him in the past, and the New York Jets.
Harbaugh, 50, has coached the 49ers since 2011 after four years with Stanford. Pro Football Talk reported he was nearly traded to Cleveland in February, but other outlets and the 49ers team president deny that.
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