Josh Gordon’s long-awaited opportunity to resurrect his NFL career arrived Monday with the Browns on the brink of kicking off training camp.
NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell notified Gordon he has been reinstated into the league on a conditional basis and he’ll be suspended for the first four regular-season games. The ruling came on the heels of Goodell summoning Gordon for a meeting last week in New York.
The Browns sound as if they’re ready to welcome Gordon back.
“With the league’s decision to afford Josh the opportunity to resume his career, he will be with us for the start of training camp,” Browns head of football operations Sashi Brown said in a statement. “At that time, we will discuss directly with Josh the direction of our team, our expectations of our players and a plan to support him on and off the field.”
Goodell implied in a letter the Browns would embrace Gordon, a former All-Pro wide receiver who has missed 27 of his team’s past 32 games because of suspensions for recurring violations of the league’s substance-abuse policy.
Brian McCarthy, NFL vice president of communications, tweeted that the organization and its special adviser, Jim Brown, have been “very supportive” throughout the reinstatement process.
“I want nothing more than to see you turn your circumstances around and succeed,” Goodell wrote in a letter to Gordon. “Countless others including your agent, teammates and coaches, [owner Jimmy] Haslam and the leadership of the organization, the Program professionals and Jim Brown also have pledged to provide you with every resource at their disposal. But as you acknowledged, ultimately, your future is your responsibility. I have every belief that you can make the right choices, but it will be up to you to do so.”
In a statement, Gordon thanked the NFL Players Association, Goodell and the Browns for a shot at redemption.
“I can’t wait to get back out there and play the game I love in front of the great fans of Cleveland,” Gordon said. “... I’ve heard only good things from my teammates about the positive direction the organization is heading and I want to do everything I can to be there to help further that process not only for the team but to better myself as well.”
Drew Rosenhaus, Gordon’s agent, told ESPN he believes the Browns will stick with Gordon despite some speculation they would trade him.
“It’s my strong impression that Josh and the Browns are determined to work together,” he said.
Gordon can join the Browns at training camp, which opens Friday, and participate in meetings, conditioning and similar work. He’ll be allowed to practice in camp and play in preseason games once arrangements have been confirmed regarding his clinical resources in Cleveland.
Gordon’s suspension for the first four regular-season games will cost him $251,389, or four-seventeenths, of his $1,068,406 salary. He may participate in team meetings and other activities but not practices once the regular season begins. He’ll be eligible to return to practice beginning Oct. 3 and play against the New England Patriots at home Oct. 9, when Patriots quarterback Tom Brady is scheduled to return from a four-game suspension. It would be Gordon’s first regular-season game since Dec. 21, 2014.
Gordon’s staying with the team during the suspension will give the new coaching staff and front office a chance to gauge his attitude. It’ll also give Gordon, 25, a routine.
“The last few times Josh was suspended, he couldn’t be with [the] team, and that was counterproductive,” Rosenhaus told ESPN. “This is a great change, the fact that he can stay with the team during the suspension. Commissioner Goodell believes the ability for Josh to work with the team during his suspension will help him.”
Gordon had been banished since Feb. 3, 2015. His application for reinstatement was denied in April after Fox Sports reported Gordon failed an NFL-administered drug test in early March. The sample tested positive for marijuana and a diluting substance, per the report.
Jim Brown, though, said last month Gordon had agreed to rehab in an attempt to come back.
Gordon had been told he would be eligible to re-apply for reinstatement Aug. 1. The timetable obviously changed after he met with Goodell. His teammates are thrilled because when Gordon is focused and motivated, he’s an elite playmaker.
“Let’s get right back 2 work @JOSH_GORDONXII!! Welcome back!!” cornerback Joe Haden tweeted.
Despite missing two games in 2013, Gordon had one of the most prolific seasons in NFL history with 87 catches for a league-leading 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns. Should he regain his form, he’d headline a young receiving corps in coach Hue Jackson’s offense and become a prime target of Robert Griffin III, his former Baylor University teammate and the Browns’ projected starting quarterback.
But Gordon, who’s scheduled to become a restricted free agent in March, must stay on the right path to capitalize on his latest chance. Snapchat videos recorded by former teammate Johnny Manziel emerged online Monday showing Gordon holding a puppy and playing video games. That’s fine as long as Gordon doesn’t partake in any of Manziel’s notorious partying. Gordon would be banished for at least a year if he were to violate the substance-abuse policy again.
“I believe he can [stay on track] if he wants to,” Griffin texted ESPN. “We will all be there for him.”
Nate Ulrich can be reached at nulrich@thebeaconjournal.com. Read the Browns blog at www.ohio.com/browns. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NateUlrichABJ and on Facebook www.facebook.com/abj.sports.