Question marks remain around the two biggest offensive weapons for the Cleveland Browns. Last season the team benefitted from overachieving players like Miles Austin and Andrew Hawkins, but relied heavily on their safety blankets. Jordan Cameron dealt with injuries for most of the year, but when on the field he remained one of the biggest threats. Josh Gordon was suspended for 10 games, but returned to immediately make an impact. However, both of those players are at risk of not returning as the Browns work through all their potential roster moves.
The chances Gordon is seen in a Cleveland uniform again are slim to none. The wide receiver has failed another drug test from the league and now faces a one-year ban from the NFL. Gordon was on thin ice with Cleveland and that likely broke the ground under him. After serving a two-game suspension in 2013 and a 10-game suspension in 2014, a year-long ban likely gets Gordon released for good.
The Browns have continued to maintain faith in Gordon considering how dominating he is on the field. However, that patience began to wear then when head coach Mike Pettine told the media that Gordon and the Browns were at a crossroads. The Browns skipped out on one of the most talented wide receiver drafts because they had faith in Gordon. The team will not make the same mistake twice considering the large hole left on the field in his absence.
The dismal of Gordon means a contract for Cameron should be a top priority. Cameron broke out in 2013, but suffered a shoulder injury that lingered for much of 2014. The tight end is looking to cash in this offseason as a free agent, but has maintained that he would like to play his whole career in Cleveland. According to Walter Football, Cameron has already rejected one contract from Cleveland as he aims for more money. The release of Gordon means the team might just give it to him.
Cleveland will also be very aggressive in the free agent market as Austin has an expiring contract and likely will not return. The team could try and sweep up Dez Bryant with big money. They could chase a trade for Larry Fitzgerald or Mike Wallace. They could also try and sign Jeremy Maclin, Demaryius Thomas or Michael Crabtree off the free agent market. The options are there, Cleveland just needs to make a move.
