Josh Gordon is hoping for another shot at the NFL. The Cleveland Browns wide receiver, who hasn’t played since 2014 after failing multiple drug tests, will file reinstatement papers with the league this week, according to Adam Schefter of ESPN.
In 2013, Gordon torched the league with 1,646 yards on 87 catches. This was in his sophomore year after Cleveland selected him in the 2012 supplemental draft. But Gordon’s off-field antics derailed his NFL success. He’s been suspended for various lengths on four separate occasions since entering the league, including a yearlong suspension in 2015.
Gordon is now looking to restart his career after sitting out the past two seasons. But if he is reinstated, his time with the Browns — who have tried on multiple occasions to shop him — is likely over.
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Gordon shined for the Browns during the 2016 preseason and was set to be reinstated in Week 5, but instead he entered rehab and did not play during the regular season. Now, Gordon’s business manager Michael Johnson told Schefter that the 25-year-old is in “best shape of his life.”
If reinstated, it’s hard to imagine teams won’t be interested, but Gordon has yet to prove he can stay out of trouble. The NFL is known for giving exceedingly talented players second chances, so it wouldn’t be surprising to see him play again.
The reinstatement process is drawn out, yet the decision from commissioner Roger Goodell must be made within 60 days of completing the application. If approved, that would still give Gordon plenty of time to work out a deal with teams and appear at OTAs.
Certainly nothing is guaranteed here. Gordon has been given warning after warning by the league. His NFL future is now up to the discretion of Goodell, which is never where a player wants to find himself.
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