BEREA, Ohio -- Browns' receiver Josh Gordon stayed glued to his phone all day Tuesday because of the 4 p.m. trading deadline.

At 4:01 p.m. he exhaled.

"It was definitely a relief,'' he said. "I wanted to stay here. I didn’t feel like uprooting myself and moving and starting all over again. I feel as though we have a lot to prove out here and a lot to build on in this offensive program and I want to say I can at least be one of the guys that helps get it started.”

But he actually wasn't surprised to still be wearing orange and brown by the time the dinner bell rang.

"I pretty much expected it honestly,'' he said. "I expected to stay here. I really didn't think that I'd end up anywhere else and I was glad it turned out that way."

He didn't talk to the Browns on Tuesday, just his agent Drew Rosenhaus, who added to the drama.

"He said anything's possible going to the last minutes of it so we'd just have to wait and see,'' he said. "It was definitely a little bit of excitement for the afternoon."

But when the witching hour was over, Gordon was still the same guy, one who's rocking the NFL world with his outstanding season. Currently, he's No. 2 in the NFL both in yards per game (97) and yards per catch (18.2). First in those categories are Detroit's Calvin Johnson (117.3) and Baltimore's Torrey Smith (20.3).

"I've still got a job to do out here in Cleveland,'' Gordon said. "The team has an ultimate goal,and the fans are expecting a lot from us.''

With the rumor and innuendo laid to rest, he's hoping for an even bigger second half of the season. At his current clip, he'll finish with 75 catches, 1,350 yards and 7 TDs -- in only 14 games. Over 16 games, he'd have Pro Bowl-type numbers, and he's still eligible despite the suspension.

"Everybody can focus now, the players, myself, the coaches and stuff,'' he said. "It can definitely alleviate some pressure from the rest of the teammates knowing Coach Rob Chudzinski was also thrilled that his No. 1 wideout stayed put.

"I'm excited Josh is part of our team,'' he said. "I like the progress he's made as a player and the strides that he's made and I'm looking forward to continued improvement on his part.

Chudzinski has worked hard to reassure Gordon during the past month that he's wanted.

"It's the same message all along, to not listen to the noise, ignore the things that are floating and circling all around, that ultimately it's about us, this locker room,'' Chudzinski said. "(It was) 'you know we want you here, so we're moving on.'''

Chudzinski has noticed considerable progress in Gordon since his two-game suspension for violating the league's substance abuse policy was first announced during training camp.

"He's grown a lot not just as a player but as a person, and (he's) maturing on and off the field,'' said Chudzinski. "He's not perfect. None of us are, but I see progress. I see him going in the right direction in all areas and I'm excited about his future and I'm excited about him being here.''

Quarterback Jason Campbell, who's taken the young receiver under his wing, thinks Gordon can be an elite wideout.

"He can really be really good,'' said Campbell. "I always tell him to study film of some of the great ones that’s playing right now, Calvin Johnson, Brandon Marshall, continue to learn from those guys. What is it that they do best on a week in and week out basis to put up the things that they’re doing? Josh has all the ability in the world to be what he wants to be.”

He said he's also seen Gordon, who failed three marijuana tests in college and got kicked off the Baylor and Utah teams, maturing.

“I think a lot of things that happened to him in the past have caused him to really take a hard look in the mirror and see the things that he can really become and not let those things get him in trouble and keep him from being the player he can be,'' said Campell. "So I definitely think from that standpoint, he’s more a quiet guy, but he’s maturing and he’s understanding. I didn’t even know he was that young – he’s 22 years old. It’s almost like he’s really a little brother.”

Campbell, who will make his second start Sunday against the Ravens, has taken it upon himself to mentor Gordon, who doesn't have Pro Bowl-caliber veteran receiver to look up to.

"That's part of being a quarterback. I think that's a big part of your job,'' said Campbell. "Part of the reason why I'm here, from being in the game for nine years and him being a young guy, with a whole bunch of young guys around him, it's kind of like who's mentoring who? So I think it's part of my role to mentor some of these young guys and help bring them along the way, while and at the same time trying to make sure that I do what I need to do.

Campbell agreed that the deadline passing is a relief for the second-year pro.

"Sometimes it's a rumor and sometimes rumors come true,'' he said. "I think for him to have that behind him give him an opportunity to focus on this season solely alone and focus on each game and not worry about if he's going to have to pick up and move or if he's going to have to pack anything. and I think they understand what a tremendous player they have. I think they're willing to grow with him and willing to help him mature. The only thing he has to do it to continue to grow as a person not just as a player, because his overall ability on the field takes care of itself.''

Since the suspension, Gordon has kept to himself more, not gone out as much.

"There are a lot more people out there that recognize who I am now,'' he said. "So, I might not do as much. I feel more relaxed that I can stay at home a lot longer now and stay to myself."

He's even keeping his camouflage-painted Porsche with the bright orange rims parked in the driveway more. The car has made him a target at times, and he's been caught speeding in it.

"It definitely draws attention but it's only certain days that I bring it out,'' he said. "I drive another car, a less-attractive looking type of car. (But the camo-car) doesn't bother me and doesn't seem to bother anybody else. They might just stare and look and recognize me. I really do not try and make a big deal out of it."

He knows that his actions have caused people to view him negatively.

"But if definitely matures you,'' he said. "There’s a lot of stuff going on right now, considering the fact you might be traded, and people might feel a certain way about it and think that it’s due to something else, due to off the field issues or whatever, but it really doesn’t faze me. As long as I do my job and keep my head level and stay out of the way I’ll be fine.”

Gordon has learned to live with criticism, things like Bernie Kosar ripping his route-running last year.

“I get so much of it,'' he said. "I’m pretty much used to it. I deflect off it off and keep about my day.

Why does he take so much heat?

“Oh, just my past,'' he said "It comes with it for me.”

But Chudzinski's been impressed with how Gordon has handled the pressure of being a No. 1 receiver.

"A lot of the things he's going through are new for him, the expectation level has risen for him,'' said Chudzinski. "He's grown and gotten better (with his consistency). His head, his goal and his approach are in the right place.''

And for the foreseeable future, so is Gordon.