Johnny Manziel

Cleveland Browns quarterback Johnny Manziel and receiver Josh Gordon are hanging out together in Aspen, Colo.

(John Kuntz)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Johnny Manziel and Josh Gordon, who both overslept the day before the season finale and got in trouble with the Browns, are hanging out together this week in Aspen, Colo., according to a photo obtained by bustedcoverage.com.

At least they don't have to worry about waking up for a walk-through.

The two also flew back to Cleveland from Dallas on the same flight Tuesday after Ohio State beat Oregon for the national championship.

So it appears the two key members of the offense, both of whom are character concerns for the Browns, have struck up quite the friendship in a pivotal offseason for both.

The morning before the season finale in Baltimore, Gordon failed to show up for the walk-through, and was suspended for the game. He did not make the trip to Baltimore. Manziel also overslept for treatment on his hamstring that morning, and team security personnel were dispatched to his apartment to make sure he was okay. Manziel was fined for the incident.

Manziel admitted to partying too hard the night before. He also said he did spend time with Gordon that evening, but not late at night.

Gordon's suspension cost him an accrued season, which requires six games played, and subsequently his unrestricted free agency after next season. He's currently ineligible for unrestricted free agency until after 2016, but his representatives are contesting that.

Browns general manager Ray Farmer, who does not believe a team needs an elite receiver to win a Super Bowl, made no promises after the season that Gordon will be back in 2015.

"When the final determination is made, Josh will be the first to know and then everybody else will find out after that,'' he said.

Farmer made it clear he wants to give Manziel another chance to be the Browns starter in 2015, but Browns also need to see some growth this offseason. Manziel has had to spend some time in Cleveland since the end of the season for treatment on the hamstring, but he bolted to South Beach in Miami, Fla. on getaway day and has apparently been having a good time this offseason.



"I do think he can develop into a solid starter in this league, yes,'' Farmer said in his postseason press conference. "The sample size that's available is small, and to that end we've all got to be patient. ...It's up to him to make those changes, but I think the talent is in his body to accomplish that."

While Manziel and Gordon frolic in Aspen, the Browns continue to search for an offensive coordinator, preferably one who can help mold Manziel into a winner.