The game today between the San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders could offer Jim Harbaugh a good glimpse into the future of his team and what he'll need to do in the off-season to bring it back to contender status.
The only problem is that, for today and the remainder of the season, he'll be patrolling the wrong sidelines.
Harbaugh, currently head coach of the San Francisco 49ers, could be destined for the Black Hole next season, with today's matchup offering him his first up close and personal view of the roster he'll be reshaping in the not-too-distant future.
The Raiders, mired in a seemingly unending slump that's been afflicting them since Rich Gannon was still in the league, have been connected to Harbaugh for some time.
Now, according to a report from Jason LaCanfora of CBSSports.com, the Raiders may not just be interested in acquiring Harbaugh's services, but are also gathering resources – a large quantity of resources – aimed at bringing him on board as the franchise's next head coach.
"Oakland Raiders owner Mark Davis remains hopeful of landing Jim Harbaugh to be his next head coach, league sources said, and is prepared to spend big bucks and part with draft pick compensation to do so. Harbaugh, whose family has expressed a strong desire to remain in the Bay Area in the past, has Raiders ties, and several sources connected to emerging coaching searches believe Oakland will be his most serious suitor."
For Davis, the addition of Harbaugh would serve the dual purpose of immediately improving his flagging football franchise along with providing a boost to his contentious stadium negotiations.
"Davis's desire for Harbaugh cannot be understated, sources said, with him, too, in a stadium quandary and desperate for a coach he can sell and try to add value to his franchise as he seeks a move to Los Angeles."
Where Harbaugh eventually ends up next year remains to be seen, but it seems almost a certainty that he won't be back in San Francisco.