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Cleveland Browns: Trading Josh Gordon would be a mistake

By Steven Kubitza

Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals beat the Browns 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports
Dec 14, 2014; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) and Cincinnati Bengals cornerback Leon Hall (29) at FirstEnergy Stadium. The Bengals beat the Browns 30-0. Mandatory Credit: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports /
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Teams calling the Cleveland Browns about acquiring Josh Gordon in a trade are rightfully being told he is not available.

The Cleveland Browns gave Josh Gordon a chance when other teams may have decided to cut him loose.

After missing the entire 2015 season due to suspension, Gordon seems to be on his way to being a contributing member of the Browns following a four-game suspension to start the 2016 season.

That is why some fans may have been surprised this morning when seeing news reported by Adam Schefter on Facebook, claiming multiple teams are reaching out to the Browns about Gordon. While it may have come as a surprise, Schefter made it clear the Browns are not close to considering any offers.

"Multiple teams have reached out to the Browns to inquire about the availability of WR Josh Gordon, per league sources. A Browns team source said they are not looking to trade Gordon. Cleveland has tried to establish an environment in which Gordon could thrive, and many around league believe Hue Jackson would be the right coach for him. Nonetheless, it will be Interesting to see if any team is willing to part with enough to get the Browns interested."

It makes sense teams are reaching out, given the belief the Browns may want to get rid of the receiver and not have to worry about him anymore. But he is too talented to trade away unless the return was too great to pass up, such as if a first-round pick and some proven players were offered in return.

Gordon has the ability to be one of the NFL’s top receivers if he can stay clean, and the Browns need all the talent they can get until the recently drafted players mature and learn the NFL game.

Terrelle Pryor has been a pleasant surprise, but he is still learning the position after being a quarterback up until a year ago. Then there are the rookies, who haven’t played in a single NFL regular season game.

More must be seen out of the rest of the receiving corps before the Browns should even consider trading Gordon. And if he can stay healthy and clean, he could be a major factor for years to come and eliminate the trade talk for good.

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After investing so much time in getting Gordon back on the field, trading him would basically mean the Browns groomed him for a return to benefit another team. He is only 25-years-old and has a bright future ahead of him if he makes the right decisions, so the calls from other teams are going to keep being politely declined for as long as they come through, unless Gordon gives the Browns a reason to want him out of town.

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