Suspended Cleveland Browns wide receiver Josh Gordon isn't eligible to play football in the NFL this year, but that isn't stopping the talented young star from trying to find other avenues to keep his skills sharp. The CFL is halfway through its season, with Week 10 starting on Aug. 29. There are 20 weeks in the season, so there is room to welcome a new addition if the teams want to.
Gordon's rationale for wanting to play in Canada might be simply playing football, but Chris Burke of Sports Illustrated mentioned that all the problems the 23-year-old has had off the field makes a one-year suspension without the game dangerous:
This is a situation where you can see what both sides are trying to do, and both sides are looking out for their own best interest. Gordon is a young wide receiver coming off a fantastic season on the field with 87 catches, 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns in 14 games.
The Browns understand the value Gordon has to their team on the field, even if his self-destructive nature off it prevents him from showing it in 2014. They want to protect their investment, while ensuring that they have him upon reinstatement in 2015.
Canada would provide Gordon with an outlet to not only keep his football skills in shape while waiting for his suspension to end, but to also serve as a distraction to keep him away from some of the extracurricular activities that have put him in hot water to begin with.
However, because of the way Gordon's contract is structured, the CFL isn't going to happen unless the Browns have a change of heart. This is a complicated situation that adds more layers with each passing day.
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