In a potentially significant twist, Jim Harbaugh's path back to the NFL may not be as complicated as it seemed just a few weeks ago. Recent developments have suggested that concerns surrounding Harbaugh and the sign-stealing investigation have subsided, opening doors for the renowned coach to make his long-awaited return.

According to Jay Glazer of Fox, all the teams he has spoken with have completely shifted their stance on Harbaugh over the past couple of weeks. Regardless of the outcome of the investigation, these teams have expressed a willingness to overlook any potential implications and have emphasized their interest in bringing Harbaugh back to the league. This change in sentiment indicates that the NFL as a whole may have moved on from this controversy.

While teams seem unfazed by the situation, the league office still remains a relevant factor in Harbaugh's potential return. The NFL's in-house television network has already hinted that they would respect any suspension the NCAA might impose on Harbaugh, even though there is no specific NFL rule that he would have violated. The question now is whether a team will hire Harbaugh as head coach, knowing that the league might suspend him, and whether they would be willing to have him miss a certain number of games in his first season.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen if Harbaugh or the team that hires him would challenge the suspension, potentially even taking the matter to court. The outcome of this scenario could be dependent on the identity of the team that ultimately signs Harbaugh. If, for instance, the Raiders become his next NFL destination, owner Mark Davis may draw inspiration from his father's playbook and file an antitrust lawsuit, challenging any seemingly arbitrary attempt by the league to shape the rules as they go.

As speculation over Harbaugh's future in the NFL intensifies, it is clear that the narrative surrounding his return is evolving. With teams increasingly willing to overlook the sign-stealing investigation and a potentially formidable legal battle on the horizon, Harbaugh's comeback may be closer than ever. Whether he finally returns to the sidelines and if he encounters any hurdles along the way, only time will tell.