Is trouble brewing in San Francisco?
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport told NFL GameDay Morning on Sunday that 49ers sources believe coach Jim Harbaugh is already losing the locker room.
"There is some serious doubts about whether Harbaugh is actually all in like he professes," Rapoport told NFL Media's Rich Eisen. "He says he is about the team, the team, the team. The players now wonder, is that actually the case?
"They have dealt with a lot over the last couple years. Some of the way he's treated them, some lack of respect. And all because they are winning, they are fine with it, but some of the players wonder, if they lose, will it all spiral out of control?"
As an example, Rapoport was told that Harbaugh irked a handful of veterans by dragging the team to Baltimore to practice against his brother John and the Ravens.
That cross-country voyage came on the heels of a rocky offseason that saw Harbaugh and the 49ers fail to strike a new contract extension amid word that the team spoke with the Browns about trading the coach to Cleveland.
Aware of the locker-room grumbling, Harbaugh has attempted to appeal to his players, especially during this week's lead-up to Sunday's meeting with the Cowboys, Rapoport was told.
"He does have two years left on his deal," Rapoport said. "But it is worth asking: Is this the last year for Jim Harbaugh in San Francisco?"
With a 41-14-1 record since 2011, Harbaugh has the second-most wins by any coach over his first three seasons, trailing only George Seifert's mark of 42-11. Winning covers many sins, but if the 49ers stumble, it's fair to wonder if Harbaugh's successful run in San Francisco might be nearing its end.
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