Jim Harbaugh wanted to return to the NFL, there was no denying that, but the leverage he had over Michigan allowed him to be picky. He would only leave for a franchise where he believed he has a chance to win immediately or near-immediately, and that place would have to pay up for his services.
The Los Angeles Chargers paid up.
According to a report from Pro Football Talk on Tuesday, Harbaugh will earn $16 million per year on a 5-year contract.
That $80 million commitment is less than the 10-year, $125 million offer Michigan reportedly had on the table -- a deal that sat on the table for months, unsigned -- but is significantly higher in annual value.
Harbaugh went 7-4 in Year 1 at San Diego, then 11-1 each of his next two seasons. At Stanford, he was 12-1 by Year 4. He took the 49ers to the NFC Championship each of his first three seasons. And though it took seven years to get Michigan over the hump and the national championship didn't come until Year 9, Harbaugh brought an immediate 5-win improvement to Michigan.
If history repeats itself in Los Angeles, the Chargers will be regular Super Bowl contenders by Year 5 of Harbaugh's deal, at which point he'd be in position to capitalize with an even bigger deal, should he so choose. And if Harbaugh is not successful in LA, he can get out within five years and sign a monster deal in college or the NFL elsewhere.
Either way, a 5-year, $16 million deal makes sense for Harbaugh and his new team.
As always, stay tuned to The Scoop for the latest.