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New York Jets: Josh Gordon should be on radar whenever available

By Michael Pallas

CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images)
CLEVELAND, OH - DECEMBER 17: Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns warms up before the game against the Baltimore Ravens at FirstEnergy Stadium on December 17, 2017 in Cleveland, Ohio. (Photo by Jason Miller/Getty Images) /
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Josh Gordon has a chance to hit the open market in 2018 and will in 2019, and the New York Jets need to sign him if given the opportunity.

Whether or not Josh Gordon becomes a true free agent is up to the Cleveland Browns. Right now, he is what is known as an Exclusive Rights Free Agents. It’s rare, because usually someone of his talent doesn’t fit the criterion for a ERFA.

An Exclusive Rights Free Agent is one with two years or fewer of NFL experience. In that case, the team has exclusive rights to tender a player, and if that happens, he either takes the offer or sits out for one year. If the Browns choose not to tender him, the New York Jets must pounce, and there are two reasons as to why.

Despite not playing for two-plus seasons, Josh Gordon displayed talent in the final five weeks of the 2017 NFL season. He’s showed he’s still a reliable pass catcher. According to Pro Football Focus Elite, he only dropped one out of 19 catchable passes and caught all five catchable deep passes that were targeted to him.

However, the other reason goes beyond what Gordon is capable of on the field.

Knowing there was a suspension on the horizon, the Jets took a chance on tight end Austin Seferian-Jenkins. He made lifestyle changes, and proved he loves the game of football. Seferian-Jenkins can be the mentor to Gordon. He can be the guy on this team that helps keep Gordon on the straight and narrow, and that’s if Gordon wants to stay on such a path.

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Based on his past, Gordon can’t really expect a big pay-day immediately. However, the Jets could include incentives in his contract. He deserves another chance to change his ways. The structure is in place in New York to help him succeed. So, let’s see what he can bring to the table.

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