Jerry Rice on Jim Harbaugh's 49ers future: "I think he's gone"

Former San Francisco 49ers Hall Of Fame wide receiver Jerry Rice told Pro Football Now that he doesn't expect Jim Harbaugh to coach the San Francisco 49ers next season

Former San Francisco 49ers wide receiver Jerry Rice told Pro Football Now that he doesn't expect Jim Harbaugh to coach the team next season.

"I think he’s gone," Rice said.

In a wide-ranging interview with the show, Rice spoke to some of the issues facing his former team. The 49ers (4-4) lost to the St. Louis Rams on Sunday at Levi's Stadium, dropping to third place in the NFC West. The Arizona Cardinals lead the division at 7-1. 

On whether Jim Harbaugh should be on the hot seat after a slow start:

"With Jim Harbaugh, there’s a lot of questions out there right now," Rice said. "We don’t really know if he wants to come back and be the head coach for the San Francisco 49ers...Maybe that’s starting to wear and tear on the team and it’s taking its toll."

On how rumored friction between GM Trent Baalke and Coach Harbaugh affects the players:

"The team, they try to say, ‘Well, we’re not affected by it.’ But you are, because (the coach and GM) have to make very crucial decisions that are really going to benefit the team. There’s a lot going on with that organization right now and I think it’s starting to hurt the players down there in the locker room."

San Francisco is preparing to take on Drew Brees and the New Orleans Saints this weekend. 

You can watch Pro Football Now's full interview with Jerry Rice on Wednesday at 4 p.m. EST on SI.com. 

- Will Green