Fansided

Browns reportedly have no desire to trade Josh Gordon

By Matt Verderame

Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 9, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) prior to the game against the Detroit Lions at Ford Field. Mandatory Credit: Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Cleveland Browns have no interest in trading Josh Gordon.

Cleveland is not going to win the Super Bowl this season. Hell, the Browns would be lucky to win five games in 2016, with a new head coach, a rebounding quarterback and a green roster. Yet, general manager Sashi Brown has stated he has no interest in trading wide receiver Josh Gordon.

Gordon, 25, could be part of the long-term solution. Still, it is a risky bet for Brown. The mercurial receiver broke into the league in 2012 through the supplemental draft. Gordon took off in 2013, racking up over 1,600 receiving yards to lead the league. He appeared to be the next great receiver in the NFL, only to be racked by suspensions.

Following his breakout 2013 campaign, Gordon only played in five games the following year and was banned for all of 2015 due to multiple violations of the NFL’s substance abuse policy. Now, Gordon is back on the field in Cleveland, albeit having to serve another four-game suspension first.

If the Browns wanted to continue their rebuild, they could move Gordon to another team. He might not fetch a great return, but a mid-round pick wouldn’t be out of the question. Considering his immense talent and age, Gordon would certainly interest plenty of teams.

Perhaps Cleveland believes that head coach Hue Jackson can get Gordon going in the right direction. If he can, the Browns have an offensive weapon on the outside for the first time since Gordon was suspended back in 2014.

Cleveland needs all the help it can get offensively. Outside of tight end Gary Barnidge, the rest of the group is a bunch of has-beens and never-was. If Gordon can contribute and Robert Griffin III finds himself, maybe the Browns can surprise with a higher win total than most forecast.

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