Bleacher Report links Harbaugh to Packers potential HC opening

By all accounts, it looks like Mike McCarthy will no longer be the head coach of the Green Bay Packers when the 2018 season comes to an end. If that happens, the question is who will be the next head coach?

Matt Miller of Beacher Report named the top head coaching candidates for 2019 and he believes current Baltimore Ravens head coach John Harbaugh would be a good fit for the Packers. Miller also believes Harbaugh would be a good fit for the New York Jets and Tampa Bay Buccaneers. 

Here’s what Miller had to say about Harbaugh:

“Harbaugh will have options if he’s fired in Baltimore. It was reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport over the weekend that he would be a favorite for the USC job if Clay Helton were fired (USC later refuted the report and announced Helton would return). Other top colleges could come calling if Harbaugh isn’t quickly hired by an NFL team.

For pro clubs, Harbaugh offers an excellent CEO-type candidate. He has winning experience and has handled himself and his teams with class, and he can bring a steady hand to any organization. A young team looking for experience and a culture builder would like what Harbaugh offers. Whether that’s in the NFL or NCAA, we’ll know soon enough.”

Harbaugh has had a ton of success in Baltimore, winning 100 games since 2008 and leading the team to a Super Bowl victory in 2012. He also had a 10-5 record in the postseason and his defenses are normally one of the best in the league. He would be the top candidate if the Packers are looking for a coach with a good amount of head coaching experience.

The funny thing about this is Harbaugh was linked to the Packers before the 2018 season began. Back in January, Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports said if he was running the Ravens and Packers he would trade head coach John Harbaugh for Mike McCarthy. He said it would work out because Harbaugh would bring the defensive scheme the Packers need to get back on top and McCarthy would give the Ravens offensive stability.

A trade of head coaches likely won’t happen, but it’s possible McCarthy could end up in Baltimore and Harbaugh could end up in Green Bay if both are fired from their current jobs. As for McCarthy, he knows there’s talk about his future with the Packers because the team is on the verge of missing the playoffs for the second consecutive season.

“I understand why you’re asking the questions. That’s part of the deal. We’re about winning football games. We didn’t do enough. I didn’t do enough. I need to coach better,” McCarthy said earlier this week.

McCarthy has been the head coach of the Packers since 2006. 2019 is the final year of his current contract.