Cleveland Browns: What To Do With Wide Receiver Josh Gordon?
By Ryan Rosko
Talent is talent, but off the field issues and concerns may be too much for Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon to return to the team.
The Cleveland Browns need play-makers, especially on offense. As the roster continues to improve and make strides, Cleveland is positioning themselves well for both the short and long-term.
Does that bode well for Josh Gordon? Cases can be made on both sides as to why he is and is not a fit for the Browns.
At the wide receiver position, Cleveland will have a healthy Corey Coleman, as well as free agent signee Kenny Britt leading the way. That is assuming he can say healthy.
After the former Baylor product, that is where the questions come into play. There are Rashard Higgins and Ricardo Louis as key options in the passing game.
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However, neither showed enough during their rookie seasons to go into 2017 having lots of optimism in them. Training camp and preseason games will help, but that is later this year.
Regardless if Gordon is back in Cleveland or not, additional talent and quality competition will be needed. Soon enough we will know exactly where the Browns stand with Gordon.
According to ESPN NFL Insider Dan Graziano, Gordon should expect an answer on his reinstatement application by April or May.
I was told the expectation is that Josh Gordon will hear by late April/early May on reinstatement application. https://t.co/Gv7MqrxhMi
— Dan Graziano (@DanGrazianoESPN) March 24, 2017
Also per Graziano, Gordon has a new agent, Joby Branion. Branion has experience working for players with similar backgrounds to that of Gordon. Most notably, Denver Broncos’ EDGE Von Miller.
We have all seen how Miller has impacted the game and the success he has achieved. Going with Branion helps Gordon’s case that he wants to do well in the NFL if/when given another chance.
Cleveland wants good character players on their roster. Perhaps Gordon is not set in his ways. If that is the case though, there is no guarantee the Browns would bring him back upon being reinstated.
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If given the green light one way or the other before the draft, Cleveland’s draft plans should be even clearer as to what they can do at wide receiver. Cornerback Justin Gilbert and quarterback Johnny Manziel both had their tenures come to an end quickly after the new regime took over.
Should Gordon be viewed by them in the same light, then it will only be a mater of time before he is traded or released. If Cleveland was filled with talent at the position and on offense in general, then I would be perfectly fine with them moving on from Gordon in some way in the near future.
Since that is not the case, one must really consider both sides of the coin. Assuming Gordon can be a difference maker and is past his troubles, the intrigue can begin. Combining him with Coleman and Britt could be the start to something.
Unfortunately, the Browns have stood behind Gordon as he has dealt with his suspensions and off the field issues longer than some may have expected. There is no question Gordon is a talented player who can dominate. On the other hand, he has had multiple chances already.
I would keep Gordon unless a team gives up something worthy in a trade. The potential is still there for Gordon in Cleveland. The question remains though whether or not he will see it being reached in NE Ohio or not?
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If going off of how the Browns have conducted business, whenever they get word on his suspension, I expect to see them go in a different direction. That said, talents like Gordon when completely committed does not come around everyday. Over the next month or so will be very interesting to see how things play out.