The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
Team signs players, begins offseason work
The Browns on April 16 announced they have signed four exclusive rights free agents, including receiver Josh Gordon. The team also started its offseason program at its headquarters in Berea.
The Browns on April 16 announced they have signed four exclusive rights free agents — wide receiver Josh Gordon, fullback Dan Vitale, offensive lineman Austin Reiter and wide receiver Matt Hazel.
The signings coincide with the start of the Browns offseason program at team headquarters in Berea.
Exclusive rights free agents are players with less than three accrued seasons in the NFL. As long as the team such a player played for the previous season tenders him a contract at the start of free agency, an ERFA cannot negotiate with another team.
Gordon was a rookie in 2012, but he has been suspended so often the last four years because of NFL suspensions for substance abuse he has not played three seasons. He will earn $790,000 this season.
To put how much Gordon’s suspensions have cost him into perspective, the Browns on April 13 signed wide receiver Jarvis Landry to a four-year, $75.5 million contract. Gordon has at least as much talent as Landry.
Gordon led the entire NFL with 1,646 receiving yards in 2013 while catching 87 passes. Landry led the NFL in receptions last season with 112 for 987 yards. Gordon scored nine touchdowns in 2013. Landry scored nine touchdowns last season.
Gordon will be a restricted free agent next season, which means he won’t strike it rich until 2020 when he will be an unrestricted free agent.
Reiter, Vitale and Hazel will each earn $630,000 this season.