Josh Gordon won't be a restricted free agent after all.
Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio reported Wednesday that Gordon will be an exclusive rights free agent rather than a restricted free agent this spring after questions cropped up regarding his lack of qualified NFL service time.
To become a restricted free agent, Gordon needs to have four years of accrued NFL service under his belt.
Last season, the 26-year-old appeared in five games for the Browns after NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell reinstated him. According to the league's collective bargaining agreement, players must be on full-pay status for six regular-season games to gain a year of service time.