Michael Silver expects Raiders owner to have a conversation with Harbaugh in the morning.

There are a bunch of nfl guys that are saying he will choose Oakland as long as they offer GM.

As others have said you can be 100% sure San Fran has a deal with Michigan in place releasing Harbs on the strict condition he is not going anywhere in the NFL.   Without a single source I would be willing to eat a lemon if this were not true.   Otherwise they had zero reason to let go of Harbaugh until it was made clear he is not heading to the NFL.  These NFL reporters are zany.

My question is if Jim is 100% to UM why would he meet with Oakland? Nothing good can come out of that meeting if it is indeed true. I am probably way too worried, but until he is introduced I am on the edge of my seat

Bay Area resident here, but a Michigan alum and a Lions fan...

Based on the language used by 49ers management and Harbaugh today, it appears that some sort of silent agreement was reached by both parties and potentially Michigan.  My guess is that as long as Harbaugh pays his buyout, and stays at Michigan for 2-3 years, the 49ers won't seek compensation upon his return to the NFL.  49ers owns Harbaugh's NFL rights for the duration of his current contract, and an X number of years beyond that.  (Check Dick Vermeil's move from STL to KC in the late 90s.  Vermeil retired for a year in between, but STL still got compensation.)  

However, Harbaugh probably had a clause included in the silent agreement to allow conversations with selected NFL teams between today and his introduction news conference at Michigan.  I don't think Harbaugh is entertaining NFL offers at this point, but he probably wants to plant the seed for future opportunities.  In addition, the Davis family and the Raiders gave Harbaugh his first full time coaching position, so Harbaugh owes them at least a conversation.  I would not be surprised if the Bears tried to get involved as well.  The Falcons would like to, but I doubt Jim would be interested.

Oakland simply doesn't present a logical case for Harbaugh for 2015.  The stadium has plumbing issues, the team has antiquated facilities, and the negotiation to upgrade is complicated by the socialist city council Oakland has elected.  Mark Davis has had to initiate talks with San Antonio (!!!) to get the Oakland folks to come negotiate with him.  On the field, the Raiders lack young talent, and they still owe a number of draft picks to Cincinnati for Carson Palmer.  They have had to overpay for aging free agents just to fill roster spots, and breaking the bank for Harbaugh in 2015 may put the rebuilding effort further behind schedule.  The Raiders need an "Alan Trammell", a coach who would take less salary, lose a bunch of games, and teach the kids how to be pros.

However, the Raiders are rumored to be a candidate for relocating to Los Angeles.  With their previous history (check Ice Cube's 30 for 30 entry), the stadium negotation should be easier, and by the time the stadium is ready, they would have recovered the lost draft picks.  The 2018 Raiders may not win more games than the 2014 version, but the future is a lot brighter, and Jim may want to consider the job, and Mark Davis would not be so hesitant to pay him $10M a year.

 

Get real here for a minute. Silver know this story drives a butload of traffic, that's all there is here. "Watch me on the NFL network in the morning for updates"  Harbaugh has known he was done since the Seattle game per his kid. That means the rumors of the deal in place weeks ago is probably somewhat true, at least ongoing negotiations.                                                                                                                                                                                                               The guy and his family are packing up and getting on a place tomorrow to AA where he will meet up with a bunch of his friends to accept a deal to pay him  more money then he can make anywhere else to coach his alma mater and get blown in every direction he looks for as long as he stays. You really think Mark Davis is going to be able to make him change his mind and disappoint all his friends and his assistants that he no doubt has already been in contact with, for less money? Yeah i'm going to go with my tv ratings and traffic guess for these tweets.

 

NFL Network tweet We'll be LIVE all day long w/ latest on coaching changes. @NFL_AM (6am ET) #TheAftermath (10am) @AroundTheNFL (6pm) #NFLTotalAccess (7pm) this all about ratings and viewership. he's the biggest name and him going to UM is not a NFL story so it order to maximize exposure and milk the story, they continue to run with Oakland angle because it fits an old narrative about his wife wanting to stay in the area

Thanks to the people in this thread for walking me off the ledge. I guess part of my worry about Harbaugh bailing has to do with the past two coaching searches, which were botched to say the least. I haven't slept in days. I just want to see it come to an end so I can finally feel good about Michigan football again.

He will wish him his best at the University of Michigan!

NFL just lost a great Coach and they know it! Although won't acknowledge it until he is standing at the Podium in his Michigan Blue. Announcements will be made! I feel Good - Jim Harbaugh knows he is coming home.

Even Rapaport gave up on this one last night. Said on NFL Network that the Raiders had already talked to Harbaugh last night and were told he'd already decided to Michigan. Now retweeting maizerage khaki plans and talking about how Harbaugh is worth $8M

Typical arrogant nfl reporter.

I'm the same way. I'm confident that it's happening but waiting until the ink is dry and there is a press conference.

"Hey Jim this is Mark. Don't forget to fasten your seat belt for that long flight back to Ann Arbor."

Anndddd I expect to receive a massive raise today at work. Guess which one is more likely?

I can picture it, Harbaugh and his family are walking down the tarmac to get on the Michigan plane, carrying bags in both hands.. "Oh Jim, hey can I have a quick word if you aren't busy? Just wanna gauge your interest level, no pressure"