Several teams appear to be in the market for some depth at the wide receiver position. With things getting more active in trading players this season, several marquee guys have been assumed to be on the market. After the Cleveland Browns traded first-round draft pick Trent Richardson last week in exchange for draft picks, it was assumed they might take the same course of action with other players. While wide receiver Josh Gordon was thought as the next to go, Rob Chudzinski promises that is not true.
ESPN's Adam Schefter reported the Browns had already discussed a trade with the Houston Texans to ship Gordon off in exchange for running back Ben Tate. After dealing Richardson, it was reported that Tate was set to be his replacement. All of that was denied by every member of the Browns organization.
The next team to show interest in Gordon was the Detroit Lions. After losing Nate Burleson in the beginning of the week to injury, the Lions had contacted several teams about putting together a possible trade. While it was not confirmed, most NFL insiders assumed Gordon was at the top of the list. Nothing has come from the rumors and Gordon told media he was promised that he would not be going anywhere.
"[Chudzinski] texted me the other day talking about it and just reassuring me there were no trade offers or anything like that," Gordon said, via Ohio.com "The fact that [Chudzinski] said there wasn't [a plan to trade me], it makes me feel a little more comfortable. At the same time, anything can happen. I guess after what happened to Trent, I think that's probably the way it's going for a lot of these guys. You're going to think about it until the [trade] deadline definitely happens [Oct. 29]."
Gordon understands that with the recent moves of the Browns, trade rumors around other players are going to come. At this point, the wide receiver is the best offensive player for the Browns. With Brian Hoyer starting at quarterback, Gordon will be relied on heavily. He had a breakout performance in his first game back from suspension, putting up a 10 catches for 146 yards and a score against the Minnesota Vikings.
"I want to reach that goal of being one of the household names, the kind of NFL athletes that you could refer to when you think of wide receiver, big-play kind of guy like those kind of guys are," Gordon said. "I work on it every week, and going out there and doing it during the game is the biggest time to prove it."
So for now, Gordon appears to be safe for the Cleveland Browns. Rumors continue to swirl around Greg Little. At this time, no one has come out and guaranteed his safety.