The Cleveland Browns may look at a trade for Andre Johnson or Mike Wallace this summer after the latest trouble from Josh Gordon, as the wide receiver was arrested in North Carolina on driving while impaired charges and this comes as he is getting ready for a hearing involving a potential full year suspension for a failed drug test and now the duo of Johnny Manziel and Gordon potentially may never hit the field together.
Gordon had a breakout season in 2013 and showed why he is one of the most explosive players in the league, but his off the field issues may hold him back from succeeding. According to ESPN.com, Gordon is already facing a one year ban for a failed drug test and now he has been arrested and charged with DWI in North Carolina and the police report had him going 15 mph faster than the reported speed limit before being pulled over. The police did not comment about whether any drugs or marijuana was involved and he was later released on $500 bond and now his future in the NFL and with the Cleveland Browns could be up in the air.
The Browns signed Miles Austin and Nate Burleson to help with the potential suspension of Gordon, which the team was informed about ahead of the NFL draft. The team had the chance to take Sammy Watkins in the first round, but they opted to trade with the Bills and then the Vikings, taking Justin Gilbert with their first first-round pick and then the team took Johnny Manziel at number 22. Gordon had a career high 87 catches last season for a league-leading 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns and he appeared to be on the brink of superstardom. Gordon became the first player ever to get back to back 200 yard receiving games and he did this with so-so quarterback play from Brandon Weeden and Brian Hoyer last year.
The ESPN report says that Gordon was tested with a .09 blood alcohol level and that is above the .08 legal limit in the state and his bond was paid by Haydn Thomas. According to the article, Thomas has previously been convicted on charges before and also pled guilty to gun and drug charges last year and he also has a connection to PJ Hairston with North Carolina, as he was the one who rented the car that Hairston was driving when he was arrested for marijuana possession. Hairston is now with the Hornets after getting traded from the Miami Heat and that followed his dismissal from the Tar Heels for his car connections to Thomas.
The Browns may want to stick with what they have on the roster heading into next season, but they have draft picks in their pocket and cap space to use if they want to make a deal for Johnson or Mike Wallace. The team opted not to take Watkins, who is in Buffalo now and they could look at trading for Johnson, as he has been staying away from the Houston Texans activities this offseason. Johnson has not asked for a trade, but that could happen if he doesn't show up to minicamp and it comes after the Texans went just 2-14 last season. The Browns went 4-12 and they are expecting improvement under new head coach Mike Pettine and it comes with Hoyer in the starting quarterback role over Manziel.