The Cleveland Browns are all but done with quarterback Johnny Manziel, waiting to cut him on March 9. And many wondered what would happen with receiver Josh Gordon, who also has multiple substance abuse violations. He was banned from playing NFL football for 2015 for it and has recently applied for reinstatement.
But Gordon’s case is a little different from Manziel as he’s actually shown he’s a star in the NFL. In 2013, Gordon led the NFL in receiving before having the tumultuous 2014, where he played in only five games because of his troubles. So if and when Gordon gets the okay to play in the NFL again, it will be with the Browns.
At the NFL Scouting Combine Thursday, VP of football operations Sashi Brown vouched for him, saying, “Josh is a tremendously talented young man. I’ve gotten a chance to know Josh over the three years that I’ve been in Cleveland and know him generally to be a good young man. He understands that he’s made some mistakes in the past.
I think he’s accountable for those and everything that we see and hear in talking to his representation and those that have been in communication with him is that he’s eager to get back and contribute. And we feel like, you know, if he’s kind of pushed those things, there’s a spot for him on the roster to certainly help.”
And on his likelihood of reinstatement, he said, “By all signs, he’s on the path to come back and be reinstated.”
It also helps the Gordon has kept his head down and out of trouble over the last year but the bottom line is he’s a star. Manziel never did prove anything to anyone so no team is going to wait for him to go through all his troubles. Manziel may have to go to Canada before he gets a shot in the NFL again because he never prove there might be a reward for his risk.
But everyone’s luck runs out at some point so lets hope Gordon keeps his act together this time.