Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is currently serving a suspension of at least one year due to various failed substance abuse offenses. He was suspended a year ago February, and on Tuesday Mary Kay Cabot reported his petition for reinstatement was denied. This came following a Monday report that Gordon had recently failed another drug test. On Tuesday, Adam Schefter tweeted that Gordon's potential reinstatement is "delayed until NFL feels comfortable he has 60-90 days of no red-flag tests.
As the chatter has increased this week, Adam Schefter decided to throw something out there for San Francisco 49ers fans. In September 2014, there was a report that the 49ers and Browns had discussed a potential Josh Gordon trade, but owner Jimmy Haslam shut those down. Now, it appears things might have been moving along pretty well. Adam Schefter tweeted out some specifics:
Worth noting Cleveland once backed out of a trade that would have sent WR Josh Gordon to SF for RB Kendall Hunter and a 2nd-rd pick.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 12, 2016
Considering Gordon was suspended to start the 2014 season, and has since sat out the 2015 season, I'd say the 49ers probably came out OK not doing a deal. Maybe things turn out differently in the Bay Area, but there's really nothing to be gained by assuming Gordon would not have tested positive at some point. Gordon had a monster year in 2013, catching 87 receptions for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns.
An offer of Hunter and a second for Gordon prior to his 2014 suspension would have been a steal. Even with the suspension, I think most people would have done it. But in light of his 2015 suspension and reports of another recent failed test, I think the 49ers are probably content with the Browns backing out of that trade.