Have a handful of players claimed non-existent mental health issues to game the system? Yeah, probably. But this is a stupid thing to say since, rightly or wrongly, it delegitimizes those who have mental health diseases and disorders. I don’t think he meant that, but as a head coach in charge of dozens of young men, many of whom have likely struggle themselves, this was a bad comment. Not to mention his position as one of the sport’s most prominent people. I hope Harbaugh can learn from it.

It’s a shame, too, since his larger point — Players should be able transfer once without penalty — would greatly benefit players for whom a change of scenery could do wonders for their mental health. Had he framed it that way, it would’ve been better.

I don’t think Harbaugh meant any harm here, but that’s not an excuse. This is an extremely sensitive issue that he needs to be smarter about.