NFL rumors: Seahawks explored Antonio Brown before Josh Gordon claim

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Before the Seattle Seahawks claimed wide receiver Josh Gordon off waivers on Friday, they reportedly explored adding another wideout the 49ers steered clear of. 

The 49ers reportedly were one of 30 teams that didn't place a claim on Gordon, whom the New England Patriots waived earlier this week. Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson reportedly pushed his team to sign ex-Pats receiver Antonio Brown prior to their Gordon claim, league sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. 

San Francisco was linked to Brown for much of the offseason as he tried to force a move away from the Pittsburgh Steelers. Brown eventually was traded to the Raiders, and NBC Sports Bay Area's Matt Maiocco reported in March that the 49ers were not interested in trading for AB. 

The Raiders cut the four-time All-Pro in September, days before their Week 1 opener on "Monday Night Football," after Brown asked for his release once the team voided his contract guarantees following an offseason of frostbitten feet, fines stemming from unexcused absences and a confrontation with general manager Mike Mayock. He landed with the Patriots shortly after his Raiders release, but Brown played just one game for New England. 

The Patriots cut Brown on Sept. 20, a day after he sent menacing text messages to an artist who accused him of making unwanted sexual advances. Britney Taylor, Brown's former trainer, accused him of rape in a federal lawsuit that same month. The NFL still is investigating the accusations and has not yet spoken to Brown, Schefter reported Sunday. 

[RELATED: Can Jimmy G snap 49ers' 16-year Pro Bowl QB drought?]

Gordon did not give the Patriots the big-play threat they envisioned, either, and he managed just 20 catches for 287 yards and a touchdown in six games. Since catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards with the Cleveland Browns in 2013, Gordon has just 103 receptions for 1,662 yards.

Gordon missed two full seasons after violating the NFL's substance-abuse policy, and the Patriots placed him on injured reserve after he injured his hamstring. 

Still just 28 years old, Gordon is expected to make his Seahawks debut on "Monday Night Football" in Week 10 against the 49ers. Schefter reported it could have been Brown instead, but the 49ers nonetheless will be tasked with stopping a receiver they didn't feel they could count on.

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