NFL Rumors: Jim Harbaugh connected to Bears, Panthers jobs
JIm Harbaugh was suspended twice for various offenses during the Michigan Wolverines' undefeated regular season. Now, according to Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, Harbaugh could face a suspension for the "bulk" of the 2024 season, too.
As the Wolverines deal with the fallout of their infamous sign-stealing scandal, the threat of penalties will continue to plague Harbaugh. Naturally, there has been speculation tying him to the NFL, where he experienced great success — including a Super Bowl appearance with the San Francisco 49ers — last time around.
Harbaugh has repeatedly shut down NFL rumors in recent years, but circumstances change. His inability to coach a full season at Michigan could prompt him to leave for greener pastures. He is not blameless in the Wolverines' situation, but Harbaugh has earned the benefit of the doubt. Or, at the very least, he has proven to NFL teams that he can succeed at the highest level, no matter the noise.
According to Dianna Russini in a recent appearance on 'The Herd,' the Carolina Panthers and Chicago Bears are both "in play," although Harbaugh could also wait for more jobs to open up. The Panthers fired Frank Reich earlier in the week. Chicago hasn't officially canned Matt Eberflus, but his seat is hotter than Hades.
"[Panthers owner David] Tepper and Harbaugh had conversations last year. It obviously didn't pan out, but this was something that they discussed. So that's a name I'm hearing again. The Chicago Bears are another organization I have heard has had some conversations about that depending on what decision they make with this coaching staff that is in place and, of course, what they do with that quarterback situation."
If Harbaugh was talking to NFL teams last season, he has even more reason to consider a change of scenery now. He can stick at Michigan, weather the storm, and make a metric ton of money as the head football coach of a prestige program, but there's nothing like winning in the NFL.
If he wants to get back to the Super Bowl, and possibly win it... he can't do that at Michigan.
NFL Rumors: Eagles interested in reunion with free agent Zach Ertz
The Arizona Cardinals waived Zach Ertz earlier in the week. The two sides mutually agreed to part ways, with Ertz looking to sign with a contender in the near future. He will have several interested suitors, including the Philadelphia Eagles, according to ESPN's Adam Schefter.
Also on the radar: the Kansas City Chiefs, Baltimore Ravens, and Buffalo Bills.
Ertz spent eight seasons and change with the Eagles before moving on to the Cardinals in 2021. He is 11 catches away from passing Harold Carmichael as the franchise's all-time leading receiver. That alone could motivate him to return. He's also familiar with Nick Sirianni's offense from their half-season together. If Ertz wants to compete for a Super Bowl, play in a familiar system, and share the field with a QB he can trust, Philadelphia is the ideal landing spot.
That doesn't make Philadelphia the only logical landing spot, of course. He would operate as a backup behind Dallas Goedert with the Eagles. The Ravens and Bills can hand him starting jobs — Baltimore especially following Mark Andrews' season-ending ankle injury. Ertz would be stationed behind Travis Kelce in Kansas City, but the Chiefs are desperate for reliable pass-catchers. One has to imagine Andy Reid would make an effort to get Ertz and Patrick Mahomes on the same wavelength.
Before being waived, Ertz caught 27 of 43 targets for 187 yards and one touchdown in seven starts with Arizona. He was consistently outshined by second-year tight end Trey McBride. Ertz is far removed from his prime years as a top-shelf tight end, but he can still contribute in a streamlined role for a contender.
NFL Rumors: Browns turn to Joe Flacco following Dorian Thompson-Robinson injury
The Cleveland Browns will turn to 15-year NFL veteran Joe Flacco at quarterback in their Week 13 matchup against the Los Angeles Rams.
Flacco was signed to the practice squad on Nov. 19 in the aftermath of Deshaun Watson's season-ending injury. Rookie Dorian Thompson-Robinson is on the shelf after suffering a concussion in Week 12, which makes Flacco the next man up. His backup will be P.J. Walker, who has registered two starts in six appearances this season, with one touchdown and five interceptions.
Sunday's game will mark Flacco's first game action of the 2023 season. He spent the 2022 campaign with the New York Jets, making four starts in five appearances with a 1-3 record under center. Flacco completed 57.6 percent of his passes for 1,051 yards, five touchdowns, and three interceptions.
He won't light the world on fire, but it's hard to figure out a better option for Cleveland at this point. Walker has been plainly ineffective at every turn. There are other free agents available, but few with Flacco's résumé. The former Super Bowl MVP has lost a step or seven, but he still stands tall in the pocket at 6-foot-6 and 245 pounds. The Browns don't need a world-beater at QB. Myles Garrett and company helm the NFL's No. 1-ranked defense. So long as Flacco effectively manages the offense and limits mistakes, he has the opportunity to win football games.
It will be interesting to see how long Flacco's leash is. There's a world in which he performs well enough to keep the job once DTR returns. The rookie hasn't lit the world on fire. That said, Cleveland could view — and arguably should view — DTR's athletic upside and his potential to develop as marks in his favor.