Is it time for another episode of the Josh Gordon saga? ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported Sunday morning on SportsCenter that the extremely talented wide receiver is set to apply for reinstatement from the league after he was suspended indefinitely at the end of the 2019 season.
Fowler goes on to say —
“I’m told that he is preparing to apply for reinstatement from his indefinite suspension. It hasn’t happened yet, but it could come down around the early-to-mid June range, I’m told. Now, he’s doing well. He’s working out in Seattle, where he last played with the Seahawks. And he’s just trying to take the necessary steps to get back in the league. He does intend to play in 2020, and will most likely get pursued with a talent like that who’s trying to get back in the league.”
Gordon’s disciplinary action came down Dec. 16 from the NFL, but it was hardly his first offense. It was his fifth suspension of sorts since he entered the league in 2012.
Between substance abuse, injury, and a mental health leave of absence, Gordon’s road during his time in the NFL has been rerouted on several occasions. Since 2018, Josh has played for the Seattle Seahawks, New England Patriots (for which he was credited a Super Bowl LIII ring), and Cleveland Browns.
“We are all rooting for Josh to succeed, both personally and professionally,” said Roger Goodell, the NFL’s commissioner, in a statement at the time. “Everyone shares in that hope and will continue to support him to every extent possible. But as Josh acknowledged, ultimately his success is up to him.”
While it’s been some time since we’ve really seen Gordon in action, let’s not forget that in his first three NFL seasons with the Browns from 2012-14, he caught 161 passes for 2,754 yards (17.1 average) and 14 touchdowns. The Browns selected Gordon in the second round of the 2012 Supplemental Draft after his off-field issues at Baylor. In 22 games over the course of two seasons from 2009-10, Gordon caught 43 passes for 721 yards (16.8 average) and seven touchdowns.
Gordon’s set of skills could possibly be even more perfect for today’s game than when he used to dominate in the sub-par Browns offense. The real questions are — Will teams take a chance on him? Will he finally be able to put his darker past behind him? Only time will tell, but don’t be surprised if we hear Gordon’s name called over the next few months while the NFL starts to gear up for football in the fall.
