Josh Gordon Rumors: Cleveland Browns Release WR After Drug Test? Larry Fitzgerald, Mike Wallace Trade Options as Dez Bryant, Jeremy Maclin Contracts Offered

Jan 26, 2015 08:51 AM EST
Josh Gordon
Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon scores a touchdown against the Oakland Raiders."

The thin ice Josh Gordon was walking on with the Cleveland Browns has likely broken. The wide receiver is clearly a threat when on the field, but he has barely been seen over the past two seasons thanks to multiple suspensions from the league for substance abuse. Gordon was thought to be on the right path after serving a suspension during a majority of the 2014 season, but another failed drug test has him out again.

According to ESPN.com, Gordon has failed another drug test for alcohol which has him now facing a one-year ban from the NFL. This is a major set back after Gordon's attempt to comeback from multiple suspensions for the same cause. The wide receiver was arrested back in July for driving while impaired which got him a suspension. He had a two-game suspension for substance abuse in 2013. This all comes after getting dismissed from Baylor for a failed marijuana test. Now, Gordon's future is more uncertain than ever.

The Cleveland Plain Dealer had been reporting that Gordon was already facing a trade or release from the team. Head coach Mike Pettine told the media that the Browns and the wide receiver were at a cross roads, uncertain which way to go. 

"Clearly a disappointing way for him to end the year," Pettine said, via NFL.com. "But at the same time, Josh right now is a Cleveland Brown. We want to take care of our own, but at the same time, we're gonna hold our guys accountable. I think everybody recognizes the talent that's there, but this isn't an individual sport. You have to be accountable to your coaching staff, you have to be accountable to your teammates, more importantly. That's the thing that we have to get (right) with Josh. It's not the ability. At some point, you get tired of using the word potential. So this offseason for him puts him squarely at a crossroads for us."

With this suspension, Gordon will likely be released, but the Browns can go multiple directions in how they want to replace him. The team could attempt to trade for Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Wallace. Both players are potentially on the market. They could sign Jeremy Maclin or Michael Crabtree in free agency. They could also trade up in the draft to acquire someone like Amari Cooper to be their top threat. The failed drug test for Gordon was likely the last straw for Cleveland and now they much determine how to replace him.

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