The swirling rumors about San Francisco’s discontent with its head coach led to speculation about possible destinations for Harbaugh.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Adam Schefter, the Oakland Raiders and New York Jets will inquire about trading for the 49ers' coach to run their respective teams.
Casual fans may ask, why would a winning coach like Harbaugh come to a dump like Oakland and coach a team that hasn’t been relevant since 2002 with a young unproven quarterback? Well, if you remember where the 49ers were before Harbaugh arrived you’d know he’s not afraid of a challenge and making changes to resurrect a storied franchise.
Secondly, Harbaugh is very fond of his roots. The late Al Davis gave him his first full-time coaching opportunity in the NFL as a quarterbacks coach in 2002.
In an interview with Contra Costa Times reporter, Cam Inman, Harbaugh recalled some fond memories he experienced working within the Raiders organization under Davis.
The backstory to a potential hire is clearly present, but why do the Raiders need to close this particular deal to revive a franchise that hasn't been competitive in over a decade?
Harbaugh isn’t afraid to shake up the roster and mold it to his liking. For some coaches this can be a treacherous deal, but it has worked in his favor. In Harbaugh's second year in San Francisco, Colin Kaepernick was elevated from a relatively unknown second-round draft pick to a Super Bowl contender—foot steps Derek Carr would love to follow.
Most analysts questioned the move due to the success he cultivated with Alex Smith in the previous year reaching a 13-3 record. Harbaugh stood his ground and made the 49ers and Kaepernick a surprise success story.<...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Oakland Raiders
