5 best NFL fits for Jim Harbaugh if he were to leave Michigan

Carolina Panthers have had a head-coaching vacancy longer than any NFL team

Although the Carolina Panthers are technically a fit, there are better ones out there for Harbaugh. Theoretically, David Tepper could entertain removing the interim tag on Steve Wilks this offseason, as the Panthers have played markedly better with him leading the charge over the NFL disaster that was Matt Rhule. Then again, Harbaugh has shown that he can win anywhere he coaches at.

While Carolina may look to draft a franchise quarterback, Harbaugh might be the one to get the most out of Sam Darnold if he was part of next year’s plans. Either way, the NFC South can be had right away, as this is one of the worst-coached divisions in football. Simply put, the entry point is very low in Charlotte, but there are reasons it has been difficult of late to win for the Panthers.

What Tepper decides to do to replace Rhule long-term will be so fascinating one way or another.

Houston Texans would be a sneaky-good landing spot for a head coach this cycle

Even though the Houston Texans have been the epitome of a chaotic mess since blowing a massive lead to the Kansas City Chiefs in the 2019 AFC Divisional Round, this is a sneaky-good job for any prospective head-coaching candidate. Of course, this requires Cal McNair to go one-and-done with back-to-back head coaches. We will never forget you, Lovie Smith, and your epic beard!

Not only would Harbaugh inherit potentially the No. 1 overall pick, but Houston also gets another one in the top 16 from the Deshaun Watson trade with the Cleveland Browns. He would have an opportunity to coach and develop either Bryce Young or C.J. Stroud, as well as having another potential franchise cornerstone to work with somewhere else on the roster. Houston is very close.

The Texans could completely reset its franchise for the better by replacing Smith with a Harbaugh.