Josh Gordon trade to San Fransisco 49ers unlikely

Although it was reported earlier that the Cleveland Browns and San Fransisco 49ers were discussing a deal that would send wide receiver Josh Gordon to the Niners, it appears that a deal is unlikely to get done. While San Fransisco has been searching for contributions from a third receiver, with Mario Manningham returning form the Physical Unable to Perform list and Michael Crabtree set to make his season debut in November, the team will likely just hold out until they are back to full strength.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter was first to report that the deal was unlikely, just a few hours after it was reported that the teams were in talks.

San Fransisco has reverted back to its old habits and become a power running team again. Rather than putting quarterback Colin Kaepernick in harm’s way on the edge, they keep running Frank Gore between the tackles. While a receiver of Gordon’s talent could put the 49ers over the top offensively, it remains unclear whether or not it would be worth the risk taking on his troubles off the field with two of receivers of their own on pace to return in the near future.

For now, Jim Harbaugh will hope that former Kansas City Chief and Pittsburgh Panther, Jonathan Baldwin can support the likes of Anquan Boldin and tight end Vernon Davis.