In a bit of a shocker, the Cleveland Browns informed wide receiver Josh Gordon on Saturday that the team is going to release him on Monday. Why the delay? It may be because Cleveland is waiting to see if any potential trade partners come calling.
As many as five teams are looking into the possibility of trading for Gordon, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. While it's unknown if the San Francisco 49ers are among those five, Gordon may be hoping they are. The receiver reportedly wants to join the 49ers or Dallas Cowboys, a source told Rapoport.
As teams discuss potentially trading for outgoing #Browns WR Josh Gordon, I'm told he's got his eye on two in particular: The #Cowboys and the #49ers.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2018
I was reminded that the #Browns nearly traded Gordon to the #49ers before the 2014 season in exchange for a 2nd rounder & RB Kendall Hunter. Chud didn't want to do it, Jimmy Haslam vetoed the deal. 🤷🏽♂️ https://t.co/xvqHqozD6E
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 16, 2018
Gordon played in last weekend's 21-21 tie against the Pittsburgh Steelers. He had one catch, which came in the form of a 17-yard touchdown.
Gordon returned to the Browns last December after serving a three-year suspension for multiple violations of the NFL's substance abuse policy. He missed most of training camp to focus on his ongoing recovery with addiction before rejoining the Browns on August 18.
Gordon was surprisingly ruled out of the Browns' game against the New Orleans Saints with a hamstring injury. He did not travel with the team and there was some concern when he reported to the Browns facility on Saturday morning.
"Gordon did not seem to be himself," Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland.com reported on NFL Network's "Up to the Minute." "There was concern in addition to the hamstring that perhaps he was struggling in other ways perhaps with things related to reasons why he's been suspended from the past."
Gordon played five games in Kyle Shanahan's system when the 49ers head coach was Cleveland's offensive coordinator in 2014.
