The Cleveland Browns have major issues with Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon and now the team may look at the trade or release of Gordon in the future, as he has been suspended for the 2015 season and if that happens, teams like the Oakland Raiders, Seattle Seahawks, Philadelphia Eagles, Indianapolis Colts, Denver Broncos and Miami Dolphins could be interested in acquiring him.
Gordon comes out of the 2014 session after being suspended multiple times and now he is facing another long ban for drinking alcohol. According to ESPN.com, Gordon was suspended for the 2015 season after violating league rules, as he was not allowed to drink alcohol after being arrested for DUI back in July. Gordon came out to say that he doesn't have an issue with addiction, writing in an open letter that he drank without realizing that he was still under the league mandate.
Gordon's status with the Browns is now up in the air and it comes after he showed some major potential during the 2013 season. Gordon was suspended two games that season and still managed to put up 1646 yards and 87 receptions with nine touchdowns. The contract status for Gordon is a mess, as Ian Rapoport reported that the team will have Gordon's rights through 2016 and he will be signed that season and then can be tendered in 2017, meaning he will be a restricted free agent. Teams like the Eagles, 49ers, Broncos and Colts could be interested in picking up Gordon if the Browns let him go, as they need playmakers at WR.
Gordon has some tough contract issues to deal with now and it looks like he will be eligible to be a restricted free agent in 2017. The whole thing is a mess now for Gordon, as the Browns have to decide whether to cut him or trade him down the line before he can become a free agent. Before Gordon was suspended for drinking alcohol, things already were taking a turn due to the fact that he was suspended during the end of the 2014 season. Okay, here we go, bear with us.
Gordon now is suspended for the 2015 season due to his alcohol suspension, but let's go to just before that. Gordon was set to be an unrestricted free agent, but since he was suspended two separate times in 2014 and played in just five games, the league year was not "accrued" on his status, meaning his UFA status would be pushed another year. Gordon and his reps reportedly were going to fight the status, but now all that is pushed aside with his latest suspension.
Gordon is one of the most talented young players in the league, but his off the field issues may keep him from becoming a star. Gordon led the league in receiving yards in 2013, but now he may not get a full season in the league until 2016. The Browns picked Gordon in the supplemental draft and he is just 23 years old and that means they have the chance to hang onto him to see if he can turn his life around. If Gordon is let go, numerous teams will be interested in signing him due to all that potential.
