Will Harbaugh wear the silver and black?

After months of internal rifts with management and an improbable fourth straight playoff appearance, it’s no surprise to learn reports that the San Francisco 49ers are discussing trading head coach Jim Harbaugh after the Super Bowl.

In October, Fox Sports NFL analyst Jay Glazer claimed that Harbaugh will not return to San Francisco in 2015. With one year left in his five-year contract, the 49ers will likely trade Harbaugh to another franchise in exchange for draft picks.

Tensions between Harbaugh and general manager Trent Baalke were amplified with the offseason discussion of a Harbaugh trade. The 49ers and Harbaugh were unable to come to terms on a contract extension during the off-season.

Under Harbaugh’s leadership, the 49ers have had three consecutive NFC championship appearances, one of which led to a Super Bowl appearance. None of these appearances led to a win.

On Thanksgiving, the 49ers lost to their division rival Seattle Seahawks 19-3 in a game that had big playoff implications. 49ers owner Jed York called the loss unacceptable on Twitter.

The Miami Dolphins, New York Jets and the University of Michigan are potential suitors looking for a new head coach. The Oakland Raiders are also highly interested, and the most eligible: it won’t even require a change of residence for Harbaugh, but merely a change in polo shirts.

On Sunday, the 49ers fell to a record of 7-6 with a 24-13 loss to the Bay Area rival Raiders (2-11), ironically the same team vying for his service. Before the game, Harbaugh spent time speaking with Raiders owner Mark Davis on the field and both appeared friendly.

After the loss, Harbaugh downplayed media questions about his status with 49ers owner Jed York and general manager Trent Baalke. “My priorities are number one, winning football games. Number two, the welfare of our players, coaches and staff,” Harbaugh said. “And, lastly, what my personal professional future is.”

The Raiders are bad. Earlier this season, they fired head coach Denis Allen after starting 0-4. Allen won only eight games since he started in Oakland in 2012. As a franchise, the Raiders have not had a winning season since 2002. They have gone through seven head coaches and had 18 different quarterbacks start at least one game. They also play in a stadium that is laughed at across the nation and discussed moving the team to Los Angeles or Houston, Texas.

An NFL Nation confidential poll of 100 current players showed that Oakland was the least desirable place to play. Bringing in Harbaugh is the best hope to polish the Oakland franchise and give the Raider shield its luster.

Harbaugh has a history with Oakland. He started his professional coaching career in Oakland as a quarterback coach from 2002-2003. He has spoken highly of the late Raiders owner Al Davis. His family is also very fond of the Bay Area.

Harbaugh comes with an impressive coaching resume. He won two conference championships in a three-year head coaching stint at the University of San Diego. He then became the head coach at Stanford University in 2007. In 2009, the Cardinals had their first winning season in eight years and then went 11-1 leading to an Orange bowl win in 2010.

In 2011, Harbaugh led the 49ers to a 13-3 season and a division championship in his first NFL head coaching job. This followed a 49ers 6-10 season in 2010 and an absence of playoffs since 2002.

Harbaugh’s scheme in San Francisco relies on a strong and physical defense and running game. A strong running game simplifies the offense for his quarterbacks by not having to take as many chances with the ball in the air. Harbaugh emphasized the importance of converting on third downs and not turning the ball over.

If dealt to the Raiders, Harbaugh would inherit a team that believes in their rookie quarterback Derek Carr. He would be looking to build on a defense that is led by veteran defensive end Justin Tuck and 2014 first-round draft pick linebacker Khalil Mack.