Cleveland Browns: Josh Gordon’s wait to play again continues

When will Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon play again?

Any team would welcome Josh Gordon’s talent to their organization. However, everything else associated with him can be best described as red flags and uncertainty. For the Cleveland Browns, they now know where Gordon’s future currently is at.

According to pro-football-reference.com, Gordon only played in five games in 2014. He also did not play in the 2015 and 2016 seasons.

See where I am going  with this?

Unfortunately, that list of time away from the field appears destined to add another year. According to USA Today’s Tom Pelissero, Gordon’s petition for reinstatement has been denied by the NFL.

Yes, Gordon could still technically play at some point during the upcoming season. For the most part, all he has to do is not fail any tests and reapply by a to be determined date later this year.  On the other hand, since he last played in 2014, are you confident that he will play this season?

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I am not and I would not be surprised to never see him play again in the NFL. Without a doubt Cleveland could use him, but there is more to Gordon and every player than just what we see on the football field.

Had the Browns been told that Gordon would be reinstated, it would not have been surprising to see them shop him or release him (despite the need for such talent on offense). If that were the case, Cleveland would have shown that they simply do not want to risk what they are building with what could be in case of another failed test/suspension.

Some may feel that he should only play for the Browns. Others may be open to other options. If you are of the former, here’s a hypothetical. Let’s say things continue like this for Gordon. With the possibility that he never plays again still on the table, wouldn’t you at least be interested in (down the road) looking to deal him for any form of draft compensation.

Cleveland had their chance a while back now in moving on from him by dealing Gordon to the San Francisco 49ers. Instead, the team has held his rights in hope of what could be. One cannot fault them for believing in such approach, but isn’t enough enough?

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It may just be the time for the Browns to put pen to paper and move on from Gordon. His wait is going to continue to for another undetermined amount of time. Time will tell if anything ever comes to light on what at one time was a promising career.