Cleveland Browns: Josh Gordon not granted restricted free agency
By Randy Gurzi
After initially telling Pro Football Talk that Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon would be a restricted free agent, the NFLP now says otherwise
Josh Gordon was going to be a restricted free agent on Wednesday, then he wasn’t. The Cleveland Browns wide out who was drafted in the 2012 supplemental draft continues to play out the longest rookie contract possibly ever.
Gordon has no one to blame but himself as suspension have kept him from accruing enough time on the field to reach free agency, even though there was a small window where some thought he may at a minimum be a restricted free agent in 2018.
The NFLPA reportedly had told Pro Football Talk that Gordon was set to hit the restricted status on Wednesday. However, a few hours later, all that was cleared up.
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Mike Florio of PFT says that Gordon will be an exclusive rights free agent — meaning he’s going nowhere — and explains why in the following quote.
"“But since Gordon played in only five games last year, he did not do enough gain a third accrued season toward free agency. That would make him an exclusive rights free agent. The NFLPA has clarified Gordon’s status, explaining that he did not pick up a third accrued season.Because he’s an exclusive rights free agent, Gordon will not be a free agent at all. The Browns will be able to offer him the second-year minimum for a player with two years of service, and his choice will be to sign it or not play.” — Florio via PFT"
Gordon has shown that he can be an outstanding playmaker for the Browns. In 2013, he led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving, but then suspensions for violating the substance abuse policy started to derail his career.
He played in five games in 2014 and then didn’t see the field again until Week 13 of the 2017 NFL Season. He turns 27 in April, so he’s still young enough to turn his career around.
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Cleveland has been patient, and it’s only fair that they get a chance to see if he can get things corrected while wearing the orange and brown.