The Cleveland Browns have their eyes on the future, and it doesn't include Josh Gordon. The team announced Saturday that it plans to release the oft-troubled wide receiver on Monday.
Gordon, in turn, has his sights on possibly headed to San Francisco, per NFL Media's Ian Rapoport.
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ESPN's Adam Schefter later confirmed Rapoport's report and added an interesting tidbit about the Browns' trade preference.
Of course, the Browns could trade Gordon elsewhere before Monday, as Pro Football Talk cited a league source in reporting that "a few teams" already have called Cleveland about possibly acquiring him. And while the 49ers are young at wide receiver and might use some experience there, the competition for Gordon could be fierce -- as PFT notes, the Seahawks, Patriots and Cowboys have big needs at the position.
However, Gordon could cost the 49ers just $790,000 this season, and they could keep him on a restricted free agent tender in 2019, if they chose. That's a low cost for a talented wideout who once posted 1,646 receiving yards in a dominating 2013 season and played under now-49ers coach Kyle Shanahan in 2014. Then again, Gordon's presence in San Francisco likely would cut into precious reps for Dante Pettis, Trent Taylor, Richie James and Kendrick Bourne.
As Rapoport pointed out, though, the 49ers almost traded for Gordon four years ago, if that means anything.
The decision for the 49ers now would be if sacrificing assets is worth the potential problems that Gordon could bring into a young, developing locker room. If they believe it's worth the risk -- and Shanahan does have history with Gordon -- the 49ers could add a 27-year-old who might have something left in the tank, if he can shake his reported substance-abuse demons.
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