The Cleveland Browns traded wide receiver Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots on Monday, but they also had three other suitors expressing interest. According to ESPN's Adam Schefter, the Washington Redskins, Dallas Cowboys, and San Francisco 49ers also spoke to Cleveland about a potential Gordon trade.
Browns also spoke with Cowboys, Redskins, 49ers and others about a potential trade for Josh Gordon, and wanted to send him to NFC. But Patriots stepped in and closed.
The Browns lost some of their leverage with Gordon after they announced Saturday the wide receiver would be released this week due to a loss of trust. The team allowed him to have a personal leave during training camp to work on his mental health, but when he reportedly tweaked his hamstring and was ruled out for Cleveland's Week 2 game against the New Orleans Saints, general manager John Dorsey and the organization had enough. Still, his troubled past with suspensions and lingering injuries also likely made it difficult to get much in return in the first place despite Gordon's extreme athleticism and ability when he's on the field.
Gordon was reportedly intrigued by the idea of joining the 49ers or Cowboys in particular, and as Schefter noted, the Browns did want to send him to the NFC. Ultimately, New England's offer was too good for Cleveland to turn down when compared to what they heard in trade talks with other teams.
The Patriots sent a fifth-round pick to Cleveland for Gordon, but New England will receive a seventh-rounder in return if he fails to be active for at least 10 games. An MRI on Gordon's hamstring came out fine, so he could be active for their Week 3 matchup with the Detroit Lions.
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