Sources: Browns nearly traded with 49ers for Jim Harbaugh

[boozeman]

Sources: Browns nearly traded with 49ers for Jim Harbaugh

Posted by Mike Florio on February 21, 2014, 4:28 PM EST


The Browns’ unpredictable head-coaching search nearly finished with what would have been the most unpredictable outcome of any head-coaching search since Jon Gruden was traded from the Raiders to the Buccaneers a dozen years ago.

Per multiple league sources, the Cleveland Browns nearly pulled off a trade with the 49ers for the rights to coach Jim Harbaugh.

A deal that would have sent multiple draft picks to San Francisco was in place between the teams. But Harbaugh ultimately decided not to leave the 49ers.

The 49ers could not immediately be reached for comment. Efforts to contact the 49ers continue.

The Browns declined to comment specifically on whether an effort was made to acquire Jim Harbaugh. The Browns characterized the search as thorough, and the Browns acknowledged that many options were considered. The Browns emphasized that the team is excited about its new coach Mike Pettine.

A deal would have been stunning, for several reasons. Harbaugh has taken the 49ers to the NFC title game in each of his three years with the team. Also, he would have joined the same division as his brother, Ravens coach John Harbaugh.

Which means they would have been squaring off at least twice per year, and competing directly for division titles and/or wild-card positioning.
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I thought teams couldn't do this anymore.

 

[Simpleton]

Why in the name of God would the 49ers do this?

 

[Cotton]

 

[boozeman]

[h=2]Adam Caplan @caplannfl[/h] 21st February 2014 from TweetCaster



#NFL executive on potential of Jim Harbaugh to #Browns: Harbaugh extension not done yet with #49ers, other teams know this. He could be targeted by other teams in the future who would consider giving him personnel control.

 

[boozeman]

Yikes, Florio took it up the ass.

Usually Rapoport is the guy who is wrong more. Looks like a little one-upsmanship by Rapoport.

 

[boozeman]

Haslam confirms that Browns had talks with 49ers about Jim Harbaugh

Posted by Mike Florio on February 23, 2014, 6:09 PM EST


Yes, folks, the Cleveland Browns and the San Francisco 49ers did indeed engage in discussions about Jim Harbaugh.

We now know this with certainty because Browns owner Jimmy Haslam has confirmed the existence of discussions with between his team and the 49ers.

“There was an opportunity there, and it didn’t materialize,” Haslam told Jarrett Bell of USA Today. Haslam did not address why the opportunity didn’t result in a transaction.

Haslam’s use of the term “opportunity” is a far cry from the 49ers’ initial characterization (via off-the-record quotes leaked to NFL Media) that the report of a possible trade of Harbaugh to the Browns was “completely false” and “ridiculous.” Haslam’s choice of words also cuts against the notion that the Browns made an inquiry about acquiring Harbaugh and the 49ers immediately and flatly said no.

It’s no surprise, given the Browns’ initial on-the-record response to the report. The Browns did not deny — and have not denied — any aspect of the report.

It’s possible that a sitcom-style misunderstanding arose between the Browns and 49ers regarding Cleveland’s interest in Harbaugh. It’s also possible, if not likely, that the 49ers are now saying what they have to say in order to avoid a full-blown implosion of the increasingly awkward relationship between Harbaugh and the organization, including most specifically G.M. Trent Baalke, with whom Harbaugh must find a way to work closely and cooperatively.
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Owner on owner crime.

 

[Carp]

Harbaugh is a guy who could wear a team thin quick. Not saying I would not want him...I'd take him in a second, but he has that Gruden deal going on where he is going to burn fast.

 

[Bluestar71]

Harbaugh is a guy who could wear a team thin quick. Not saying I would not want him...I'd take him in a second, but he has that Gruden deal going on where he is going to burn fast.

I agree on Harbaugh wearing out his welcome pretty quickly with the way he is, but it still seems Jerry-level insane for the 49'ers to even entertain the notion of getting rid of a coach who has made three straight NFC championship games and came damn close to winning a Super Bowl.

 

[Carp]

If you think you are at the end of the run with him though, take the picks and promote Roman.

 

[Clay_Allison]

I also thought you couldn't trade picks for coaches any more.

 

[Carp]

Me too...but it sounds like that is what was going on...maybe players? Gordon for Harbaugh.

 

[Smitty]

If there is a hint of truth to Harbaugh being available Jerry should be behind the scenes pulling every string to get him to Dallas.

 

[boozeman]

If there is a hint of truth to Harbaugh being available Jerry should be behind the scenes pulling every string to get him to Dallas.

He wants more power. Why would he come to Dallas to work for a lunatic?

 

[Texas Ace]

If there is a hint of truth to Harbaugh being available Jerry should be behind the scenes pulling every string to get him to Dallas.

And why in the world would he come here?

 

[Smitty]

And why in the world would he come here?

Money?

 

[Smitty]

He wants more power. Why would he come to Dallas to work for a lunatic?

Well this is why we can't have nice things.

 

[Texas Ace]

Money?

He can make a ton of money anywhere while not dealing with a moron like Jerry.

 

[boozeman]

York acknowledges Browns contacted 49ers about Harbaugh

Posted by Mike Florio on February 24, 2014, 8:39 AM EST


The 49ers have come a long way from their initial off-the-record insistence to NFL Media that the report of a possible trade of coach Jim Harbaugh to the Browns was “completely false” and “ridiculous.”

Three days after trying to create the impression that the report was entirely fabricated and fully erroneous, the 49ers admit that there were trade communications.

“The Browns reached out to me, and we had no interest in pursuing it,” CEO Jed York tells Peter King of TheMMQB.com.

That’s still much different from Browns owner Jimmy Haslam confirming that there was an “opportunity” that didn’t materialize. “Opportunity” implies that something more happened than the 49ers hanging up on the Browns.

“Opportunity” implies that something more could happen in the future.

And that ultimately could be why the 49ers are trying to create the impression that they had zero interest in trading Harbaugh. Unless the 49ers and Harbaugh work out a long-term deal this offseason (which would entail the 49ers paying Harbaugh much more than they want to pay), the efforts of other teams to acquire Harbaugh could continue.

The lingering possibility that another team will try to finagle Harbaugh requires the 49er to try to maintain leverage, in order to avoid giving their head coach away.

The terms of the trade that Harbaugh ultimately didn’t want (based on our report) could go a long way toward shaping his future value if a deal happens, but those terms remain unknown. ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported over the weekend that the package did not include a first-round pick.

Regardless of what did or didn’t happen between the Browns and the 49ers, the uncertainty in San Francisco will linger until the team and its coach work out a long-term deal — or until the two sides convince the rest of the NFL that they have.

Even if they really don’t.

 

[SfielDallas]

York should go into politics next....