Wide receiver Josh Gordon led the NFL in receiving last season for the Cleveland Browns, but it almost did not play out that way. The team was discussing the notion of trading the troubled star before talks were stopped by owner Jimmy Haslam, according to Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports.
Josh Gordon trade talks shut down by owner Jimmy Haslam
The Browns had thoughts of trading Gordon, but the owner was having none of it.
Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports
Talks were especially heated with the San Francisco 49ers, who would have employed the trio of Anquan Boldin, Michael Crabtree and Gordon had a deal gone down. The former Cleveland front office of Joe Banner and general manager Mike Lombardi was open to trading Gordon, but nothing materialized with Haslam putting a stop to them around midseason.
Gordon is suspended for the entire 2014 season after failing a drug test for high THC levels, caused by marijuana. He appealed the suspension but it was upheld. While out, Gordon is selling cars to make a little cash.
If Gordon had been traded, it is interesting to think about how different things might have been. The Browns held the fourth-overall pick in May's draft but traded back with the Buffalo Bills before taking corner Justin Gilbert. The Bills took receiver Sammy Watkins in that spot, while dealing the Browns a 2015 first-round pick. If Gordon was traded, is Watkins in Cleveland?
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