Everyone knows one couple that absolutely hates each other. They're constantly staring daggers at one another, they fight about everything and nothing is ever easy. A messy breakup is virtually inevitable between these two combustible sides.
Yeah, that's Jim Harbaugh and the San Francisco 49ers right now. Everyone knows that a split between the two after the season is pretty much a lock. But a new wrinkle has been introduced recently. Instead of a mutual split, a firing from San Fran brass or Harbaugh choosing to quit, trade rumors have begun to percolate. Apparently, the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets are interested in acquiring the fourth-year head coach.
So how much would it cost to trade for a head coach with 43-16-1 career record (.725 winning percentage) with three consecutive NFC Championship Game appearances? The short answer: a lot.
Mike Freeman of Bleacher Report spoke to three general managers who told him that "they believe the price for any potential Harbaugh trade will be two second and two third round picks."
The precedent for such a deal is obviously the Jon Gruden trade from 2002 in which the Buccaneers shipped two-first-rounders, two second-rounders and $8 million to Oakland for Gruden's services. Tampa Bay went on to win a Super Bowl with Gruden, so I'm sure they're pretty happy with how that turned out.
Harbaugh was linked to the Cleveland Browns shortly before the 2014 NFL Draft. At the time, Grantland's Bill Barnwell argued that the coach was worth both of Cleveland's first-round picks that year as well as a $10 million annual salary. That's a pretty penny.
Whatever the price may be, securing a top-flight coach is possibly even more important than getting a franchise quarterback. Harbaugh turned former No. 1 overall pick Alex Smith from a bust into a competent QB with one of the best winning percentages over the last four seasons. Jim's brother John Harbaugh won a Super Bowl with Joe Flacco. I'm not saying those guys are bad players, but they certainly don't have the talent of an Aaron Rodgers or Tom Brady.
San Francisco's last game of the regular season will be held on Dec. 28. Should the team fail to make the playoffs for the first time under Harbaugh, we'll be made aware of his fate shortly after.
