Who Gives Josh Gordon His Last NFL Shot?

Nov 30, 2014; Orchard Park, NY, USA; Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon (12) stretches prior to the game against the Buffalo Bills at Ralph Wilson Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Hoffman-USA TODAY Sports

Perhaps one of the most disappointing players seen to hit the NFL in the past five years is wide receiver Josh Gordon. Not because he came in like so many young guys and didn’t live up to the hype, but because he emerged from obscurity to become one of the best wide receivers in the league and then threw it away because he couldn’t control his addictions.

Josh Gordon’s teammates standing by him during “tough time” http://t.co/3gTHFKad6q
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) June 9, 2015

Repeated violations of the substance abuse policy has landed him a one-year suspension. Despite his insistence that these problems are being blown way out of proportion, it nonetheless has put his career in limbo with one very clear reality. If he decides to return in 2016, that could be the final chance to make it as a pro football player.

His agent, Drew Rosenhaus trumpeted his belief that the 24-year old will make the most of it.

"“He’s biding his time. It’s a difficult process and it’s meant to be difficult obviously. But I’ve got faith in him and he’ll get through this tough time and he still has a very bright future in the NFL in my opinion.”"

Looking ahead, Gordon will be an unrestricted free agent next year. That means all 32 NFL teams will take their time to evaluate the risk-reward factors to signing him. Do they feel they’d be getting the Pro Bowl talent who understands he’s one more mistake away from being banned for life or the knucklehead who has no respect for the rules or for his future?

Here are some teams that may be willing to take that risk.

Cincinnati Bengals

Marv Lewis has built a reputation as turning the Cincinnati Bengals into the modern Oakland Raiders. That is a team that thrives on giving troublesome players a haven where they can get their careers back on track. It certainly paid off with Adam “Pacman” Jones among others. So why wouldn’t he give Gordon that chance? The receiver gets to stay in Ohio and might have the chance to pair with A.J. Green.

Yikes.

New England Patriots

Bill Belichick had a ton of success the last time he took a chance on a wide receiver with off-the-field baggage (hello Randy Moss). What’s to stop him from giving Gordon a one-year tryout with the opportunity to rebuild his reputation while also catching passes from Tom Brady? Seems like it would be a win-win for both sides.

Houston Texans

Andre Johnson is gone. Though the Houston Texans have DeAndre Hopkins ready to take over as the #1 guy, there is no guarantee he can. He’s never shown that same playmaking ability. Gordon has that. Also adding to the intrigue of this connection is the fact that Gordon is actually a Houston native. Getting a chance to play in his home town would have to appeal to him. That and getting out of the cold weather in Cleveland.

Next: Odell Beckham Jr. Leads NFL Sophomore Slump Risks

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