There was a time when the Cleveland Browns clinged to the hope that Josh Gordon would return. Not anymore.
The former All-Pro who led the NFL in receiving in 2013 hopes to get reinstated by the league after earning a year-long suspension for repeated violations of the substance abuse policy. His first opportunity was lost when another test came back positive for marijuana, but he will have one last shot before the season starts.
Not that it matters to the Browns any longer. According to ESPN and other top sources, it seems like his days are numbered in Cleveland.
"“The Browns took an armada of receivers in the draft. The four drafted receivers match the most in a draft in team history (the Browns took four in 1966, per drafthistory.com). Though another talented player is always welcome, drafting four players at one position sure seems to indicate the team is moving on.More important, another not-so-subtle policy shift (for lack of a better term) by the team also seems to indicate that Gordon’s behavior and actions do not mesh with the way the Browns want to operate in the Sashi Brown-Paul DePodesta-Hue Jackson era.”"
Not surprising given what happened with Gordon and then Johnny Manziel. This team needs a fresh start and the best way to get is by what they’ve been doing: cutting ties with any and all players who were distractions.
If this happens, the interesting question then becomes what will the NFL do about Gordon? He is only 25-years old with no injury history. Aside from obvious rust not playing for over a year, he would look like a tantalizing target for teams who might be willing to gamble that he can still clean up his act.
Here are some clubs to watch carefully.
Cincinnati Bengals
Few teams have shown a greater willingness to take a chance on players with ugly backgrounds than the Cincinnati Bengals. It has rewarded them in the past (though it came back to haunt them in the playoffs). After losing both Marvin Jones and Mohamed Sanu to free agency, their receiving position has thinned somewhat. Taking a gamble to pair Gordon with A.J. Green might be too good to pass up.
Arizona Cardinals
Bruce Arians is another head coach who doesn’t mind players with red flags. He’s a big believer in second chances. Just look at some of the names they’ve brought on: Tyrann Mathieu, Chandler Jones and Robert Nkemdiche. All have had some unfortunate mishaps off the field but the Arizona Cardinals believe their culture can help such players thrive. With Larry Fitzgerald aging, the need for a young body at wide receiver might push them towards Gordon.
Dallas Cowboys
Jerry Jones is a gambler. That has been proven through his tenure as owner and GM of the Dallas Cowboys. From the Charles Haley trade to the signing of Greg Hardy, he isn’t afraid to weigh the risks on personality problems if it can help his team win. Gordon might be viewed as just another talented player with drug problems but then again, in Jones’ eyes, so was Michael Irvin. How can they ignore the idea of pairing Gordon and Dez Bryant?