Browns nearly traded for Jim Harbaugh

[elcheato]

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.
 

 

[TTN2810]

Wow lol. Glad he didnt leave San Fran.

 

[Pugz]

would have been cool to see how well he would have done in that brownhole

 

[RipCity32]

That would have been great. 

 

[jonathanlambert33]

It would have been.

 

[Teagz]

Could have had the Harbros in the same division.

 

[elcheato]

Apparently the Browns called to ask permission to talk to a 49ers assistant, and Harbaugh expressed interest in the job, lmao. What a nutjob

 

[BwareDWare94]

Trent Baalke is such a fucking moron. You have the league's best coach over the last 3 years and you fuck with him because of your ego?
Here's what you do, Baalke. You ask Jim what he wants you to do and you do it until he fucks up, which he hasn't yet. Some say he gaffed on Kaepernick--and they're right, but Alex Smith wasn't winning a Super Bowl either. 

 

[elcheato]

The Browns apparently offered 2 first round picks (makes sense, as Gruden was traded for two firsts and two seconds once upon a time). Is a coach worth that? I don't know. All I know is, I'm afraid of Haslam and the measures he's apparently willing to take. It's frightening.

Harbaugh is from Ohio, by the way. Browns have a lot of young talent and 7 draft picks in the first four rounds in what is considered to be one of the deepest drafts in recent memory. The interest on his part makes sense

 

[DraftPick]

I honestly would have loved this move. It would have brought instant credibility to the team. We need a guy like that. 
 

It does make me feel a little bit better about the front office. Although I feel A LOT better with Banner and Lombardi gone.

 

[TTN2810]

IMO Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the league, like him or not.

 

[DraftPick]

IMO Harbaugh is one of the best coaches in the league, like him or not.

Easily. You could argue he's in the top 3. I love that guy. He would fit perfectly in Cleveland.

 

[elcheato]

He'd fit perfectly anywhere, aside from San Francisco apparently.

 

[RipCity32]

Yeah I heard he isn't even speaking with the 49ers GM right now, they are apparently on really bad terms. 

 

[elcheato]

Which would be why they tried to trade him. Apparently the offer was just a 2nd round pick as well, and I guess everything was gonna happen but his wife said no.

 

[DraftPick]

Unreal. People in Cleveland would have been doing drunk backflips into the lake if we got him for only a 2nd rounder.

 

[DraftPick]

^ Hell, i'd drive from Cleveland to San Fran just to pick him up.

 

[elcheato]

That's a lot of gas money. I wouldn't

 

[RipCity32]

I wouldn't share a car with that lunatic for that long of a time.

 

[elcheato]

He'd probably end up on the side of the freeway in Utah if he were driving with me. No way I'm lasting 36 hours, or sharing a hotel with that dude