49ers Deny Report Saying Coach Jim Harbaugh Almost Traded To Cleveland

SAN FRANCISCO (KCBS) — The San Francisco 49ers were very close to completing a trade with the Cleveland Browns that would have sent coach Jim Harbaugh to Cleveland, according to a published report.

ProFootballTalk.com reported Friday the Browns’ search for a head coach involved a deal  that would have sent several draft picks to San Francisco in exchange for rights to Harbaugh,

The story cited unnamed sources who claimed the deal fell apart because Harbaugh wanted to stay in San Francisco.

A tweet from 49ers CEO Jed York denied the report.

NFL.com cited a 49ers source saying the story was ‘completely false’ and ‘ridiculous.’

ProFootballTalk.com pointed out the Browns neither confirmed nor denied that they pursued Harbaugh, only saying they considered a number of head-coaching options and are excited about the head coach they did hire, Mike Pettine.