Though the Browns issued a statement Saturday indicating Gordon (hamstring) would be released Monday, league sources believe it's "far more likely" that the wideout will be traded instead, Adam Schefter of ESPN reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cleveland's decision to part ways with Gordon came shortly after he was ruled out for Sunday's game against the Saints after injuring his hamstring at a team photo shoot, according to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network. According to Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer, Gordon's release wasn't the result of a substance-related relapse, but the Browns had continued concerns about the wideout's sobriety after he reportedly showed up to the team facility Saturday morning "a little tardy" and "not himself," according to a team source. Despite Gordon's disappointing end to his tenure his Cleveland, Rapoport notes that as many as five teams have interest in acquiring him after the Browns announced their intention to release him, so it's expected the organization will try and get something in return for him rather than simply eating the remaining money on his salary.