The Cleveland Browns may look at the trade or release of Josh Gordon after the season, as he finished the year with another suspension and with his free agency status up in the air, teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots and Arizona Cardinals all could be interested in adding the wide receiver if he is moved in 2015.
Gordon was suspended by the Browns for Week 17 of the season after he missed a walk-through along with Johnny Manziel. According to ESPN.com, Manziel allegedly had a party that weekend -although he later denied having a party but admitted he was with Gordon for a time-and both players were absent that Saturday morning ahead of the game. The move docked Gordon a pay check and that is significant, as it changes up his free agent status potentially.
Gordon was suspended 10 games this season for a drug issue and he was set to be back for six games, which would be an "accrued season" for him in the NFL. That extra game would give him a full accrued season and would make him an unrestricted free agent rather than a restricted free agent. ESPN.com reports that Gordon and his reps may file a grievance about getting that status back and that issue could affect what happens with the Browns and Gordon in the future.
Gordon is a wildly talented player, but Cleveland may opt to move on after the way this season went. Leaving aside the issues related to Gordon's free agent status, the Browns may be inclined to trade or release the wide receiver because they simply can't rely on him to be on the field for 16 games. Gordon was suspended for 11 games this year and in 2013 he missed the first two games of the season for another issue, although that did not stop him from leading the NFL in receiving yards.
Gordon became the first wideout in decades to lead the league in receiving yards one season and then not score a touchdown the next year and that only added to the disappointment for 2014. The Browns offense was actually productive in totally yards per game with Gordon on the field this season and while some of that was rust on Gordon following his suspension, it's not a great development for Cleveland.
Gordon would be sought after if he was traded or released and teams like the Philadelphia Eagles, San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, New England Patriots, Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks and Arizona Cardinals could be potential landing spots. The Eagles may lose Jeremy Maclin and they lost some of their explosiveness after cutting DeSean Jackson loose last year and Gordon could come in to fill that role.
The Seahawks dealt Percy Harvin to the Jets and they could look at adding Gordon to the offense, while the Pats also could be an option if they cut Danny Amendola after the season, which is expected by many according to ESPN Boston. Gordon had 87 catches for 1643 yards two years ago to set career highs and he led the league in receiving yards despite missing two games and now his future in Cleveland could be up in the air.
