Overview
- Pat Leonard said on CBS New York Monday that league contacts think Joe Schoen could be fired this week, though no move has been announced.
- Countering that chatter, the New York Post’s Paul Schwartz and NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported they do not expect a firing and even raised the prospect of an extension.
- Harbaugh has said he reports directly to ownership rather than to the general manager, a structure that increases the head coach’s sway over personnel decisions.
- Recent flashpoints shaping perceptions include the trade of star defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence to the Bengals and Schoen’s D+ grade from an NFLPA survey of players.
- The draft drew high marks with picks like Arvell Reese and Francis Mauigoa, and reporting credited Harbaugh’s heavy involvement while also noting Schoen’s early scouting on Reese; Dawn Aponte is viewed by some league sources as a possible successor if ownership makes a change.