The Cleveland Browns have major questions heading into 2015 with Johnny Manziel and the same goes for Josh Gordon, as the wide receiver dealt with multiple suspensions and now a trade or release of Gordon could be coming, as teams like the To San Francisco 49ers, Indianapolis Colts, Oakland Raiders, Philadelphia Eagles, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks could be interested in acquiring him.
The Browns suspended Gordon for Week 17 of the season and that move could set up a battle between the two sides, as it puts his 2015 free agent status into question. According to ESPN.com, the Browns suspended Gordon after he missed a walkthrough ahead of the Week 17 game against the Ravens and that left him active for five games this season. The Browns had a hard time locating him and according to sources, that was not the first time Gordon was late.
UPDATE: According to ESPN.com, Josh Gordon is facing a one-year suspension after failing another drug test. Gordon's future was already up in the air after a 10-game drug suspension and a separate suspension in Week 17. Now he faces another suspension and his future with the Browns is firmly in question.
Gordon had a fantastic season in 2013, putting up a league leading 1646 yards in just 14 games with a career high 87 receptions and nine touchdowns, but his off the field issues may keep him from reaching his potential. This past season Gordon had just 24 catches for 303 yards and did not find the endzone and now his future is up in the air. ESPN Cleveland's Tony Grossi wrote after the season that Gordon likely will not be with the Browns based on what Ray Farmer said in his season-ending press conference.
Gordon had already been suspended for 10 games earlier in the season for a drug issue and docking him the final game check was a major move by the Browns. Gordon needed six checks to consider 2014 an "accrued" season in his free agent status and since he was only active for five, the 2014 season does not count in his status heading into free agency. Gordon had the chance to become an unrestricted free agent and now because of that move, he is in line to be a restricted free agent and can't be an UFA until 2016.
That's a huge difference for a player like Gordon, as he led the league in receiving in 2013 and was likely set to get a nice raise this winter. Gordon reportedly will file a grievance regarding his status and there is a chance he could end up an unrestricted free agent. Either way, Gordon's future with the Browns is not certain and while they likely want to keep him, all options are on the table after the way the season ended.
The Browns finished the season on an 0-5 stretch and Gordon did not make as much of an impact as the team had hoped. Many expected the Browns to be better once Gordon came back, but he clearly had some rust and the team ended up just 1-4 in the games he played this season. Adding to that, the Browns actually averaged more yards in the games before he came back than in the game that Gordon played. Brian Hoyer broke down at the end of the season and Johnny Manziel got injured and now the QB position is in flux moving forward for the team.
