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Odds Against Jim Harbaugh, McDaniels, or McCarthy Being NFL Head Coaches in 2019

Chris Amberley

by Chris Amberley in NFL Football

Updated Apr 27, 2020 · 2:20 PM PDT

Jim Harbaugh Michigan
Jim Harbaugh hasn't coached in the NFL since the 2014 season. Photo by Maize Blue Nation (Wiki Commons) [CC License]
  • Jim Harbaugh, Josh McDaniels and Mike McCarthy are all underdogs to become NFL Head Coaches in 2019
  • Harbaugh is reportedly very high on the Jets wish list, while McCarthy is drawing interest from multiple teams
  • Who is most likely to get one of the coveted 32 NFL jobs in 2019?

Jim Harbaugh is adamant he’s staying in Ann Arbor next season.

The Michigan Head Coach has been dodging questions about his future all week, but the rumors continue to swirl about about his potential return to an NFL sideline.

The Jets, who are ready to move on from Todd Bowles, appear poised to do whatever it takes to pry Harbaugh away from Michigan, but the online sportsbooks aren’t buying the hype.

Odds Jim Harbaugh is an NFL Head Coach in 2019

Will Jim Harbaugh be a Head Coach in the NFL at any point in the 2019 Regular Season Odds
Yes +500
No -900

*All odds taken 12/29

Harbaugh is a massive underdog to jump to the NFL next year, but should he be?

The Jets job is very enticing, especially since they have a 21-year-old future star QB, over $100 million in projected cap space, and a top five pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.

The Jets will back up the Brinks truck

According to a report from ProFootballTalk’s Mike Florio, the Jets will offer Harbaugh a contract well in excess of the $7 million he earns annually at Michigan.

Bill Belichick is currently the NFL’s highest paid coach, bringing in more than $10 million a season, and the Jets could offer Harbaugh substantially more than that considering he’d have as big an impact as any player they’d sign in free agency.

Harbaugh is worth every penny

In his lone NFL stop with the 49ers, Harbaugh inherited a 6-10 team and proceeded to go 44-19 over the following four seasons, including a trip to the Super Bowl.

Prior to San Francisco, he turned around Stanford’s program and most recently has accumulated a 38-13 record with the Wolverines.

The pieces are in place for him to have a similar impact with the Jets and the odds are too good to pass up. I’ll take a slice of that +500 while it’s still on the table.

Odds Mike McCarthy is an NFL Head Coach in 2019

Will Mike McCarthy be a Head Coach in the NFL at any point in the 2019 Regular Season Odds
Yes +110
No -150

Another former NFL Head Coach drawing plenty of interest is Mike McCarthy. The ex-Packer has been linked to several teams including Arizona, Cleveland, and now Tampa Bay.

He’s still on Green Bay’s payroll through 2019, but the online sportsbooks are bullish on him taking an NFL gig next season.

McCarthy’s resume is one of the strongest on the market. He has a 135 career wins, multiple NFC Championship appearances and a Super Bowl ring.

He’d be a massive upgrade to multiple organizations, but I see no value at +110.  He’s just as likely to take a paid year off as he is to return to coaching. I’ll pass on him.

Odds Josh McDaniels is an NFL Head Coach in 2019

Will Josh McDaniels be a Head Coach in the NFL at any point in the 2019 Regular Season Odds
Yes +155
No -220

No Love for McDaniels?

Josh McDaniels must be kicking himself after seeing how good the Colts look this season.

McDaniels, who spurned Indy at the last minute this past offseason, hasn’t received nearly the same type of buzz as Harbaugh or McCarthy, but his odds to take over an NFL team are still relatively short.

His name has been floated around for the Green Bay and Cleveland vacancies, but it’s clear he has plenty of reasons to remain in New England.

YouTube video

He has a five-year contract and is being paid like a Head Coach by the Patriots. As long as Tom Brady is in New England, I don’t see McDaniels going anywhere.

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