Report: Josh Gordon Exploring The Idea Of Playing In The CFL This Year

Update:

Pro Football Talk reports that the Calgary Stampeders hold Josh Gordon‘s rights and “want him badly.”

————-

Ian Rapoport spoke with a CFL GM who mentioned that if Josh Gordon is under contract and suspended by the NFL, he is prevent from signing with a team due to their rules.

• Rapoport adds that the CFL can only be an option for him if he has been released.
• Mary Kay Cabot reports that the Browns would not give Josh Gordon permission to play in the CFL.

There is also the issue of the “Ricky Williams Rule” which honors NFL suspensions preventing Gordon from playing in the CFL this year.

Pro Football Talk mentions that the Browns would have to permit Gordon playing in the CFL in order for him to get around the “Ricky Williams Rule.”

However, Chris Mortensen reports the NFL actually closed the loophole that allowed Williams to play for Toronto during his suspension.

———–

ESPN’s Chris Mortensen reports that suspended Browns WR Josh Gordon is in the process of exploring  the possibility of playing the rest of the year in the Canadian Football League.

This news comes just a day after Gordon lost his appeal regarding the year-long suspension he was facing for another violation of league policy.

Albert Breer mentions that Gordon would need permission from the Browns to play in the CFL.

• Breer also reported this morning that Gordon will not accrue a season towards free agency, which means he won’t be eligible to test the market until 2017.

Last night, news broke that former Colts WR LaVon Brazill signed a contract with the CFL’s Toronto Argonauts. Brazill is also suspended for a year, so it appears as though the CFL could end up being an option for players who are forced out of the NFL due to suspension.

Last year, Gordon caught 87 receptions for 1,646 yards receiving and and nine touchdowns over the course of 14 games.

We’ll have more regarding Gordon possibly playing in the CFL as the news is available.