The Cleveland Browns and Josh Gordon could be heading for a split in 2015 after his suspension in Week 17 of the season, as the two sides now may battle over Gordon's free agent status and pay for this year and if that gets contentious, teams like the San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Philadelphia Eagles, Seattle Seahawks, Minnesota Vikings and Dallas Cowboys could be interested in acquiring him.
Gordon is an electric talent, but he had a troubling season that started and ended with suspensions and now his future in Cleveland could be up in the air. According to ESPN.com, Gordon was suspended for the final game of the season by the Browns after missing a morning walk through with the team and that could lead to a battle over his free agent status. Reports had Gordon missing the team function after attending a party thrown by Johnny Manziel the night before, but Manziel later denied he had a party, althugh he did say he was with Gordon.
Gordon led the league in receiving yards last season, but he started this year suspended for 10 games for failing a drug test. Gordon missed two games last year for another issue and now ESPN.com rpeorts that Gordon could sight with the Browns over his Week 17 status and suspension. Jeremy Fowler writes that the one game suspension is significant, as it means Gordon will be active for just five games this season rather than six, making him a restricted free agent rather than an unrestricted one.
NFL players need to be active for six games in a season to have that year count as an accrued season and with Gordon missing out this year, he may have to wait until 2016 to hit unrestricted free agency. Gordon likely would command some attention on the market despite his off the field troubles, as he has been an explosive player for the Browns, setting career highs with 87 catches and 1646 yards in 14 games in 2013.
Gordon missed 10 games this season and the Browns went 1-4 in the games when he was active. Gordon ended up with 24 catches for 303 yards, but he did not get into the endzone this year. The Browns went 7-4 without Gordon in the lineup and ESPN.com notes that the team averged over 50 more yards per game this season during that stretch. While it likely isn't Gordon's fault for the offensive breakdown at the end of the season, team sources said to ESPN that it wasn't the first time Gordon missed/was late to a team meeting.
If the Browns and Gordon end up parting ways, there will be a number of teams looking to sign him, as he is a young player with fantastic speed. ESPN reporter Pat McManamon wrote that the Browns would be justified if they want to move on from Manziel or Gordon, as they have not proven to be professional players yet to the team. Obviously both players are very talented, but the Browns may decide to part ways with one or the other if things don't improve. Owner Jimmy Haslam had some strong words for the players and that could be a sign of things to come.
