The Minnesota Vikings have received permission to speak to Jim Harbaugh about their head coaching position.

Harbaugh has emerged as a candidate in part because of a strong relationship with new Vikings general manager Kwesi Adofo-Mensah, with whom Harbaugh overlapped while he was the coach of the San Francisco 49ers. Adofo-Mensah worked in San Francisco's front office in research and development and worked with Harbaugh in 2013 and 2014.

Harbaugh took a pay cut after the 2-4 season, as his base salary decreased from $8 million annually to $4 million. Michigan has yet to formalize any type of new agreement with Harbaugh after the rebound in 2021.

Harbaugh reached the NFC Championship Game in three of his four seasons as head coach of the 49ers.