Josh Gordon has been trying to convince everyone that his priorities are in order. But some teammates question whether he is even heeding the warnings or listening to what they’re saying.
Brown’s teammate D’Qwell Jackson says is up to him to take that step.
“No matter how many bodies you put in front of him or people who speak to him, Josh has to be willing to make a change for himself,” Jackson told The Plain Dealer. “I could talk to him all day if I wanted to. (Coach Rob Chudzinski) could talk to him all day if he wanted to, but it’s not going to do any good unless he takes that next step.”
And he’s running out of opportunities.
“He doesn’t have that many lives left,” Jackson said. “He’s got one more time to really straighten things up before he’s got to leave. I think he is starting to realize that.”
But as of right now, the failed drug tests and suspension are defining Gordon. Not his on field potential or talent.
“These mistakes he’s making early on in his career people are watching,” Jackson said. “Players and coaches are watching. We all wish him the best. People make mistakes.
“If he wants to last in this league and be successful and productive and have his word mean anything to anyone over his career I think right now would be the time to straighten those things out . . . He’s young and he’s going to have to learn quick in this business.”