Odds Favor Josh Gordon Signing With XFL Sooner Than NFL

The groundhog-day nature of Josh Gordon’s career is impossible to ignore. Gordon was recently suspended by the NFL for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy, making it now the fifth (and possibly final) time that Gordon has been sidelined by the league. The question now becomes where does he go next? Gordon is still just 28 years old and is still quite talented. However, will he actually play football next year, join the CFL or XFL, or will the NFL give him another shot?

JOSH GORDON SUSPENSION HISTORY

The troubled wide receiver has been suspended eight times in his football career between college and the NFL. The first suspension came in college at Baylor, but then, starting in 2013, Gordon has been suspended seven straight NFL seasons for some form of substance abuse. Sometimes it was alcohol, but most of the time it has been a banned drug. Whether with the Cleveland Browns (his longtime team), the New England Patriots last year, or the Seattle Seahawks this year, Gordon has continued to be suspended by the NFL in December for failing to stay clean and steer clear of the use of banned substances. We still don’t know exactly what it is but it does appear to be a serious addiction that he can’t seem to break free from. Right now, this is about a man who has to figure out what he values in his life.

JOSH GORDON BETTING ODDS

NO LEAGUE: -150
XFL: +250
NFL: +300
CFL: +800

The odds that Gordon might not play in any league next year are perceived as being very good. The obvious thought process here is that Gordon, after enduring yet another setback, might be fed up with trying to build back his career one more time. He might get tired of the chase, tired of the work and the discipline needed to return to professional football. The other thing to note is that other NFL teams might be less likely to reach out to Gordon and give him a chance to play, seeing that he has already burned three teams – the Browns, Patriots and Seahawks – over the past three years. A combination of forces could very easily shove Gordon out of pro football and make him focus on seeking self-care. Also, keep in mind that the Patriots and the Seahawks are viewed as two of the more forgiving franchises, so if they’re going to pass on him, who would really take a chance?

The XFL is an interesting option because Gordon would not have to deal with the NFL’s regulations. It might be a more relaxed environment in which he could still play and gain a sense that he can start fresh. He’d have a chance to showcase his skills and would probably be one of the top receivers in the game. The question is would he want to go that route and trust a new league?

Of course, he could also come up to Canada. The CFL seems to be the least possible outcome simply because it’s a big move. Gordon, though, wouldn’t have to worry about the legality of marijuana – if that’s in fact the substance that he’s been abusing – because it has been legalized country-wide in the North.

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