Josh Gordon's Latest Suspension Gives Browns More Flexibility with WR's Future

There may not be a more physically gifted wide receiver in the National Football League than Cleveland Browns third-year wideout Josh Gordon.

The speedy 6'3", 225-pound pass-catcher proved as much last season when he led the NFL with 1,646 yards receiving despite appearing in just 14 games.

However, it takes a lot more than talent to consistently succeed as a pro football player. For Gordon, it would be a good start to find and stay on the football field.

The former Baylor standout missed two games in 2013 because he was suspended for violating the league's substance abuse policy. He was then suspended for the first 10 games of the 2014 season for again violating the league's policy.

After five games back with the Browns, Gordon is facing yet another suspension. This one, however, is coming from the Browns organization itself.

According to ESPN.com's Pat McManamon, Gordon and rookie quarterback Johnny Manziel (injured reserve) were absent from Cleveland's Saturday walk-through and could not be immediately located by the team. As a result, Gordon will be absent for the regular-season finale against the Baltimore Ravens.

On the surface, it would appear that the team-imposed suspension could be a precursor to some sort of deal to move Gordon during the offseason. The Browns have backed Gordon as a player and as a person since he first entered the league, but the wide receiver has failed to reward their faith with acceptable behavior (he was also arrested for DUI during this past offseason).

Gordon has not looked like the same player since returning this season. He has not been gaining the same kind of separation as he did in 2013 and has been seen not going full speed on plays, even running the wrong routes at times. 

	Rec	Yds	Avg	TD
2013	6.2	117.5	18.9	.642
2014	4.8	60.6	12.6	0

According to Pro Football Focus (subscription required), Browns quarterback Brian Hoyer was ranked 24th overall among quarterbacks before Gordon's return and 34th overall after Gordon came back in Week 12. Cleveland held a record of 6-4 without Gordon and has gone just 1-4 with him.

The immensely gifted receiver hasn't helped the Browns offense improve enough to win games and, according to Mary Kay Cabot of The Plain Dealer, has been late to other team functions this season. Therefore, it would appear his latest suspension is beyond justified and could lead to his Browns exit.

There is, of course, a little bit more to be explored in this situation.

In accordance with the league's collective bargaining agreement (CBA), Gordon will not earn an accrued season for 2014 if Sunday's suspension is without pay. Per the CBA, requirements for an accrued season are as follows:

"

For the purposes of calculating Accrued Seasons under this Agreement, a player shall receive one Accrued Season for each season during which he was on, or should have been on, full pay status for a total of six or more regular season games.

"

This means that Gordon won't become a free agent after next season, even though his current deal only runs through 2015.

The CBA states:

"

Any Veteran with less than three Accrued Seasons whose contract has expired may negotiate or sign a Player Contract only with his Prior Club, if before the first day of the League Year after the expiration of his contract, his Prior Club tenders the player a one year Player Contract with a Paragraph 5 Salary of at least the Minimum Active/Inactive List Salary applicable to that player.

"

This means that Gordon will only be free to sign with his current team in 2016, unless that team does not make or withdraws a tendered offer. The only question is whether Gordon will be with the Browns or with another franchise at the end of the 2015 season.

The specifics of the CBA, combined with Gordon's suspension, give Cleveland plenty of options regarding Gordon's future. 

The team can give general manager Ray Farmer and head coach Mike Pettine a full year to evaluate Gordon without the need to give him a big free-agent contract when that year is over. The team can also use the extra year to increase Gordon's potential trade value, as any team making a deal would have the ability to lock him in for 2015 and 2016.

Neither course of action would be completely surprising. Gordon has the potential to give Cleveland one of the league's best offensive weapons. He also has the potential to give the team one of the NFL's biggest headaches.

By suspending Gordon for the final game of the 2014 season, the Browns bought themselves a little more time to determine which path is in the receiver's future.