The Cleveland Browns were reportedly interested in trading Josh Gordon after the star wide receiver was reinstated, but the asking price was too high.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Media, the Browns were seeking “a second-round pick and then some” from teams that inquired about Gordon. While Gordon’s talent is off the charts, you can understand why teams were hesitant to give up that much.
Gordon has not appeared in an NFL game since 2014. He’s also one slip-up away from being banned from the NFL indefinitely (and possibly for life), and he has shown in the past that he is incapable of staying clean. Another positive drug test would likely end Gordon’s career.
Browns front office executives have said they intend to keep Gordon, and Gordon insists he wants to remain in Cleveland. While some recent comments made by head coach Hue Jackson may have made it seem like Gordon is on a short leash, the team has gone out of its way to support the 2013 Pro Bowler publicly.
Gordon is set to become a restricted free agent next season. It’s still possible the Browns could try to trade him again during the season if he comes out lighting it up in Week 4, but that seems unlikely.
