Josh Gordon - Pro Football Rumors

Extra Points: Gordon, Cowboys, Ansah

May 11th, 2017 at 10:00pm CST by Connor J. Byrne

Suspended Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is currently without an agent, according to Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Joby Branion terminated their relationship “a couple weeks ago,” a source told Florio. Branion succeeded Drew Rosenhaus, who parted ways with Gordon several months back, as Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com notes (on Twitter). Branion had been working to help get Gordon reinstated, a bid the NFL denied Thursday. The league’s decision came on the heels of a recent conversation between Gordon and commissioner Roger Goodell, per Bleacher Report’s Jason Cole, who adds that Gordon is working out in Gainesville, Fla., and seems to be in good shape physically (Twitter links).

Browns’ Josh Gordon Denied Reinstatement

May 11th, 2017 at 10:52am CST by Zachary Links

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been denied reinstatement, a source tells Tony Grossi of ESPN.com (on Twitter). Gordon can re-apply in the fall, but for now he remains in limbo.

Gordon applied for reinstatement in March and was left hanging for a bit while the league office considered his case. When he applied, Gordon’s business manager said the wide receiver was living with him and was “in the best place mentally that he has been in…years.” Apparently, that wasn’t good enough for Roger Goodell & Co. after all of Gordon’s off-the-field missteps.

When he’s been on the field, Gordon has performed like one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL. In 2013, his last full season, he totaled 87 receptions, a league-leading 1,646 yards, and nine touchdowns in 14 games. In 32 career games, he has racked up 161 catches, 17.1 yards per reception, and 14 touchdowns. Still, even once he’s reinstated, it’s not a sure thing that the Browns will want to keep him. Top Browns executive Sashi Brown says the club is open to a Gordon return, but multiple have indicated the team may look to trade him.

Earlier this week, we learned that Gordon is currently without an agent. The 26-year-old has gone through three different reps in the last three years.

Extra Points: Browns, Bengals, Oher, Raiders

May 9th, 2017 at 9:55pm CST by Dallas Robinson

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is currently without an agent, tweets Jason Cole of Bleacher Report, who adds Gordon has utilized three different agents in three years. Gordon, 26, is in limbo at the moment after applying for reinstatement in March. He’s yet to hear back from the league regarding his status, and Gordon’s fate with Cleveland is also in question. While reports have indicated the Browns may look to trade Gordon, executive VP of football operations Sashi Brown said the club is open to a Gordon return.

Here’s more from around the NFL:

The Bengals have agreed to pay first-round wide receiver John Ross his entire 2017 base salary even if he lands on the non-football injury list, tweets Ian Rapoport of NFL.com. Though Ross suffered injuries (including a torn labrum) while playing football, he wasn’t yet in the NFL when those issues cropped, so the NFI list is still a viable option. Clubs aren’t required to pay players on NFI, but will typically negotiate some sort of compensation if a unique situation arises, and that’s especially true if the player was injured upon arrival in the NFL. Cincinnati inked Ross to a four-year deal worth $17.116MM earlier this week.
Given that Max Unger may miss the start of the 2017 campaign, the Saints could turn to reserve interior lineman Senio Kelemete to man the center position until Unger returns to full health. Taking over the starting job could be financially beneficial to Kelemete, as he can earn a $200K incentive if he plays 50% of New Orleans’ snaps next season, according to Nick Underhill of the Advocate (Twitter link). Kelemete, 26, can bring in another $200K for hitting the 60% and 70% snap mark, as well. In 2016, Kelemete played on 57.5% of the Saints’ offensive plays.
Panthers offensive tackle Michael Oher turned himself in to Nashville police on Tuesday and will now appear in court on June 6, according to Joseph Person and Lavendrick Smith of the Charlotte Observer. Oher was cited for misdemeanor assault last week following an altercation with an Uber driver in which Oher allegedly knocked the driver to the ground. Carolina selected Western Michigan tackle Taylor Moton in the second round, so Oher — who is still dealing with concussion concerns on top of his legal issues — isn’t a lock to return as a starter, or even make the roster, in 2017.
The Raiders were “impressed” by undrafted safety Marcus McWilson, and are expected to sign him to a contract following his tryout at the club’s rookie minicamp, per Michael Gehlken of the Las Vegas Review-Journal (Twitter link). McWilson, a Kentucky product, played in 13 games for the Wildcats in 2016, racking up 108 tackles (4.5 for loss) and one interception, which he returned for a touchdown. Oakland has already signed 17 UDFAs and two additional tryout players, but hasn’t yet announced the signing of McWilson.

Browns VP: We’re Open To Josh Gordon Return

March 29th, 2017 at 11:31am CST by Zachary Links

We have some conflicting word out of Cleveland regarding Josh Gordon. Last week, it was reported that the Browns will either trade or release Gordon if he is granted reinstatement this year. Publicly, at least, Browns executive vice president Sashi Brown is singing a different tune.

“We’re not in position at wide receiver to turn down a guy like Josh if we feel he’s settled himself,” Brown said (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Tony Grossi).

When he’s on the field, Gordon is one of the best wide receivers in the entire NFL. Unfortunately for Cleveland, we haven’t seen him out there since the final six weeks of the 2014 season. The league reinstated Gordon last year, but the 25-year-old (26 in April) went to rehab and did not play in 2016. For now, he is banned indefinitely, but he has applied for reinstatement and his camp is hopeful about a return for 2017.

In 2013, Gordon’s last full season, he had 87 catches, a league-leading 1,646 yards, and nine touchdowns in 14 games. That’s the kind of production Cleveland could use at wide receiver, particularly after losing Terrelle Pryor in free agency. For now, the Browns have free agent pickup Kenny Britt, rising sophomores Corey Coleman and Ricardo Louis, and six others under contract at wide receiver.

Browns To Shop Josh Gordon

March 24th, 2017 at 9:46pm CST by Sam Robinson

Josh Gordon has teamed with an interesting trainer in an effort to make yet another NFL comeback. But he will probably have to do it on another team.

Although the Browns still control his rights — for two more years — they are likely going to try to trade the mercurial wide receiver, Mary Kay Cabot of cleveland.com reports. The Browns attempted to unload Gordon at the trade deadline last year. However, if they are unable to swing a trade, a source informs Cabot they will likely release him.

Gordon, of course, is still suspended. Dan Graziano of ESPN.com reports Gordon’s camp expects to hear about a Roger Goodell reinstatement ruling within the next month, but Graziano adds Cleveland plans to jettison the 25-year-old former All-Pro via trade or release. Gordon applied for reinstatement earlier this month.

For now, Gordon is being trained by former Olympian Tim Montgomery, Graziano reports. The ex-world 100-meter record holder banned for performance-enhancing drugs and later imprisoned for heroin possession and distribution, Montgomery has rebounded in part by training Gordon and other athletes in Gainesville, Fla., as a speed coach. Gordon has also changed agents. Joby Branion, the agent for Von Miller, now represents him, Graziano reports. Business manager Michael Johnson said earlier this month the pass-catcher is in “the best shape of his life” earlier this month. This offseason regimen may shed some light on that assessment, but Gordon’s NFL future is very much in doubt.

The league reinstated Gordon last year, but the embattled wideout checked into a rehab center and did not play in 2016. The 2013 All-Pro remains banned indefinitely and hasn’t played since the final six weeks of the 2014 season.

Cleveland drafted Corey Coleman in the first round last year, and although Terrelle Pryor signed with the Redskins, the Browns also now employ Kenny Britt as well. Hue Jackson said after Gordon became sidetracked again last October the team was planning to move on from him.

Josh Gordon Applies For Reinstatement

March 1st, 2017 at 9:11am CST by Zachary Links

Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon is applying today (Wednesday) for reinstatement, business manager Michael Johnson tells ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (on Twitter). Gordon has not played since 2014.

“Josh is living with me and is in the best place mentally that he has been in dating back years before entering the NFL,” Johnson told Schefter (Facebook link). “He has taken the proper steps to treat his issues and has followed a very strict protocol that the league and our team here has laid out for him. He’s also in the best shape of his life and feels even better than he did when he had his breakout year in 2013. This will be a special year for Josh and we are all very proud of the way he has taken the necessary steps to turn his life around.”

When he’s been on the field, Gordon has performed like one of the very best wide receivers in the NFL. In 2013, his last full season, he totaled 87 receptions, a league-leading 1,646 yards, and nine touchdowns in 14 games. In 32 career games, he has racked up 161 catches, 17.1 yards per reception, and 14 touchdowns.

The Browns control Gordon’s rights through at least 2017, but it was reported last fall that they plan to move on from him. He was working to return to the NFL in 2016 but wound up checking into rehab in late September after a “slip up.” Before that point, the Browns were shopping Gordon with the hope of netting a high draft choice.

Browns Unlikely To Trade Josh Gordon

October 30th, 2016 at 3:45pm CST by Dallas Robinson

The Browns are “highly unlikely” to trade wide receiver Josh Gordon before Tuesday’s deadline, a source tells Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk. Cleveland is said to be open to moving Gordon — and were reportedly shopping him earlier this month — but apparently the odds of a deal coming together are not good.

Gordon, who was released from rehab earlier today, originally decided to enter the facility following a “slip up,”and reports indicated that Gordon was dealing with an alcohol addiction. Some of Gordon’s past suspensions have been related to alcohol, and the pass-catcher also has a DUI on his rap sheet, so he decided entering rehab was the “extra step” he needed to get well.

Rival clubs were reportedly inquiring on Gordon over the summer, but the Browns indicated that they had no interest in trading their talented yet troubled wide receiver. However, former Patriots/Browns executive Michael Lombardi disputed that sentiment, claiming that Cleveland had been shopping Gordon all summer.

The Browns have indicated that they intend to part ways with Gordon at some point, although he won’t be an unrestricted for some time given his multiple suspensions.

Trade Rumors: T. Smith, Browns, Richardson

October 30th, 2016 at 10:41am CST by Rory Parks

We heard last week that the Eagles, who are desperate for wide receiver help, were discussing a potential trade for the 49ers‘ Torrey Smith, but both Philadelphia and San Francisco refuted those reports just several days later. However, Mike Florio of Pro Football Talk said today that the Eagles are continuing to explore a trade for a receiver, and that the Smith talks are still alive. Florio added that it is unclear whether Philadelphia has its eyes on any other receiver at this point.

With Tuesday’s trade deadline fast approaching, let’s take a look at a few more trade-related notes:

Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer reports that the Browns will indeed try to trade Josh Gordon prior to the deadline. We learned earlier today that Gordon was recently released from an inpatient rehab facility and that he is eligible to be traded despite the fact that he has not been reinstated by the NFL. Even if he is dealt, of course, he would need to be reinstated before suiting up for his new club.
We also learned earlier today that the Browns could look to move Joe Haden, who has been generating a fair amount of interest around the league, but that Joe Thomas will likely remain in Cleveland.
Eliot Shorr-Parks of NJ.com says he would not be surprised if Eagles GM Howie Roseman at least made a call to the Browns to inquire about Josh Gordon.
Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that teams are calling the Jets about Sheldon Richardson. Such a trade would make plenty of sense, as Gang Green could move on from Richardson next year anyway, although Rich Cimini of ESPN.com does not believe the Jets would get enough in return for Richardson or Brandon Marshall to make trading either player worthwhile.
Although it appears as if the Buccaneers could be in the market for a wide receiver, Rick Stroud of the Tampa Bay Times does not believe the Bucs will swing a deal in advance of the trade deadline.

Josh Gordon Released From Rehab Facility

October 30th, 2016 at 9:24am CST by Rory Parks

Embattled Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon has been released from an inpatient treatment facility, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, citing league sources. Mary Kay Cabot of the Cleveland Plain Dealer confirms the report.

Schefter reports that Gordon was released last week after completing the 30-day program in New Hampshire, which is said to be the most intensive treatment that he has gone through. One league source added that Gordon is doing “a lot better.”

We heard late last month that the Browns plan to part with Gordon, and Nate Ulrich of the Akron Beacon Journal reports that those plans have not changed, even though Cleveland controls Gordon’s rights for two more seasons. Both Ulrich and Schefter report that Cleveland would like to trade the Baylor product, and there is some question as to whether he can be dealt, since he remains suspended and there is no indication that he will be reinstated by the league prior to Tuesday’s 4pm trade deadline. Cabot, however, reports that the Browns can indeed try to trade Gordon by Tuesday, even if he is not reinstated.

Gordon was set to return from a four-game suspension on October 9 against New England, but he chose to enter rehab instead. He has been suspended for 35 of the Browns’ last 40 games because of recurring violation’s of the NFL’s substance-abuse policy. If he is, in fact, eligible to be traded, the Eagles are one team that would seem like a perfect match on paper.

Now let’s take a quick look at several more Browns-related items:

Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets that cornerback Joe Haden has been the subject of trade talks, and if he can prove he’s healthy, Rapoport believes those talks could really heat up in advance of the trade deadline.
Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports confirms recent reports that LT Joe Thomas is unlikely to be moved, given that the Browns are seeking greater compensation than the market will bear.

Josh Gordon To Remain On Suspended List

October 3rd, 2016 at 6:44pm CST by Dallas Robinson

As was expected, Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon will remain on the reserve/suspended list per the commissioner’s orders until further notice, as Ian Rapoport of NFL.com tweets. Last week, Gordon decided to enter rehab, and will presumably remain suspended until he completes his recovery, if not longer.

Gordon decided to go to rehab following a “slip up,” Rapoport reported yesterday, and sources told Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com that Gordon is dealing with an alcohol addiction. Some of Gordon’s past suspensions have been related to alcohol, and the pass-catcher also has a DUI on his rap sheet, so he decided entering rehab was the “extra step” he needed to get well, per Cabot.

The Browns have indicated that they intend to part ways with Gordon given his most recent transgression, and had in fact been trying to trade him as recently as last week. No other clubs will likely express interest given that Gordon is now unable to return to the field for some time.

Photo courtesy of USA Today Sports Images.