Report: Cleveland Browns were close to Jim Harbaugh trade

The Cleveland Browns were close to trading with the San Francisco 49ers for head coach Jim Harbaugh to replace Rob Chudzinski, according to a report.

The Browns' search for a new head coach led them to approach the 49ers after failing with moves to land Josh McDaniels and Ken Whisenhunt, and they were prepared to send multiple Draft picks to the NFC West side.

However, the move fell through when Harbaugh decided that he could not leave the 49ers after three successful years with the club, according to ProFootballTalk.com.

The Browns hired former Buffalo Bills defensive coordinator Mike Pettine as their new head coach, their third in as many seasons.