After two seasons in the NFL, Cleveland Browns receiver Josh Gordon has over 2,500 total yards and 14 receiving touchdowns. By most standards, Gordon’s transition to the NFL has been an incredibly successful one. Gordon set himself up to have a monster third season that could have seen his total touchdowns double.

Unfortunately, Gordon’s transition to the NFL was not a complete success after all. On the field, he was a dependable receiver who could do no wrong. Off the field, however, he constantly found himself in trouble with the law and the league. After missing 11 games in his third season, Gordon’s latest transgression should cost him what could have been a promising career.

Gordon is expected to receive a one-year ban from the NFL after failing a substance abuse test for alcohol. This is his fifth failed drug test in three years and if he is suspended, it will be his third suspension due to a failed drug test. Gordon also pleaded guilty to driving while intoxicated and was recently suspended for violating the Browns’ 
team rules.

Gordon has already missed 13 games in his first three seasons. If not for a series of lucky breaks, he could have missed an additional nine games. If Gordon is suspended for all of next season, he will have missed almost as many games as he has played. The Browns should cut their losses and move on.

Gordon’s inability to control himself off the field makes him a liability on the field. Going forward, any team featuring Gordon cannot afford to become reliant upon him due to his inability to remain eligible for play. When Gordon finally entered games this past season, he appeared out of shape for an athlete of his caliber. He also seemed to make several mental errors, which were probably due to his time off.

The only thing keeping Gordon from a place in the record books is himself. Perhaps a suspension would allow him to get things under control, but he is quickly running out of time and chances. Perhaps he is already out of both.