NFL Rumors: Panthers reportedly make decision on Jim Harbaugh HC hire

Jim Harbaugh is probably about to re-enter the NFL ranks after taking the Michigan Wolverines to the College Football playoffs. He reportedly reached out to the Carolina Panthers about their head coaching vacancy and has also been linked to the Denver Broncos opening.

According to NFL reporter Jonathan Jones, the Panthers spoke with Harbaugh as he was very persistent. However, the team appears to want to go in a different direction.

Jones said:

"Sources tell CBS Sports that Harbaugh -- or his representation -- had been calling Tepper with some regularity in recent weeks. Tepper eventually held a conversation with Harbaugh, but it was never characterized as a job interview for the permanent head coaching job in Carolina."

The Panthers don't seem entirely interested in the former San Francisco 49ers head coach. There are plenty of other options, though it seems as if interim head coach Steve Wilks is a favorite at this stage.

Wilks took over a sub-par roster from Matt Rhule, who was fired early on in the season. The team then traded away star running back Christian McCaffrey.

Wilks got the Panthers to the cusp of the NFC South title despite all that and the Panthers players seem to love playing for him. It will be hard to ignore all that, even as consistent as Harbaugh has been.

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Odds for Carolina Panthers head coaching options featuring Jim Harbaugh, Mike Tomlin and more

The Carolina Panthers have options at head coach. That includes Jim Harbaugh, former New Orleans Saints coach Sean Payton and top coordinators from contenders around the league.

However, oddsmakers aren't sold on Jim Harbaugh taking the Panthers' job.

Bookies believe Steve Wilks will be the next full-time coach, but others have a good chance as well:

• Wilks +300
• Dan Quinn +450
• Shane Steichen +550
• Kellen Moore +550
• Eric Bienemy +600
• Kliff Kingsbury +2000
• Nathaniel Hackett +2000
• Mike Tomlin +2500

Steve Wilks is the odds-on favorite for the Panthers head coach spot

Should Kingsbury be fired from the Arizona Cardinals or Mike Tomlin from the Pittsburgh Steelers, they would be popular names for teams searching for head coaches.