It’s starting to feel like Jim Harbaugh is simply “using” the Minnesota Vikings
AJ Mansour
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When it comes to the Minnesota Vikings coaching search, over the weekend it was all Jim Harbaugh, all the time. there was a big splash late last week pinned some mutual interest between the two parties and then what was originally deemed an “interview” that took place on Friday.
Well, come Monday we’re finding out that there was no in person interview, but maybe a Zoom interview. Then we find out that it wasn’t a Zoom interview but more of a phone interview. Then it finally comes out that it was just an “exploratory” phone conversation between the two sides to start a conversation.
It’s starting to look like the Vikings are maybe just getting played by Harbaugh’s team and…wait for it…THE MIAMI DOLPHINS!!!
Here’s the logic…
Ever since news leaked out that Harbaugh might be interested in dipping his toes in the NFL waters again there was an immediate tie to the vacant Miami Dolphins job. Dolphins owner Stephen Ross is one of then largest all-time donors to the University of Michigan donating an estimated $400 million to the school over the years. He’s all in on Wolverines football and seems to be interested in landing Harbaugh to lead the Dolphins into the future.
But Ross is loyal to The U, so much so he was also quoted as saying that “I’m not going to be the person to take Jim Harbaugh from the University of Michigan. I hope he stays there.” That threw everybody off the scent, and opened the door for Minnesota to kick the tires with direct ties between new GM Kwesi Adofo-Mensah and Harbaugh.
But by letting Minnesota get in then mix request the first interview or conversation, and maybe make the first offer to Harbaugh, that opens the gates for Ross and the Dolphins to counter and land Harbaugh in Miami. Because, it wasn’t him who pulled Harbaugh away from Michigan, it was the evil Minnesota Vikings and Ross just stepped up to the plate to keep him with “the good guys”, those who love Michigan.
It’s right there in front of us, Harbaugh gets an NFL job with tons of cap space, complete control, no income taxes and a higher salary. Ross gets the coach of his dreams to lead his team and avoids becoming a villain in the eyes of Michigan.
Meanwhile, all the Minnesota Vikings got was an “exploratory” phone conversation…?
Aj Mansour is a member of The Power Trip Morning Show on KFAN and works for iHeartMedia and the Vikings Radio Network. He’s also a senior writer for VikingsTerritory.com. Be sure to follow him on social media for the latest Vikings news and big opinions – @AjKFAN