Jimmy Haslam, owner of the Cleveland Browns, confirmed Sunday in a comment to USA Today that there was some dialogue with the San Francisco 49ers about Jim Harbaugh.

"There was an opportunity there, and it didn't materialize," Haslam said.

Harbaugh revealed during a press conference on Jan. 21 after the 49ers were eliminated by the Seattle Seahawks that he had spoken with the Browns "regarding our coaches." 

The 49ers denied the Pro Football Talk report on Friday that the club nearly traded Harbaugh to the Browns for draft picks.

Team CEO Jed York wrote on Twitter, “Report isn’t true.”

In a text message to CSN Bay Area’s Dave Feldman, Harbaugh wrote, “For the record, I echo Jed York’s comment…’isn’t true.’ I know nothing about a trade with the Cleveland Browns and us involving me.”

Harbaugh has two years remaining on the five-year, $25 million contract he signed in January 2011.