It appears that Josh Gordon might be heading to the New England Patriots and the wide receiver could be a game-changer for their 2018 season.
Through the first two weeks of the 2018 season, it’s truthfully hard to know what to make of the New England Patriots. When they handled the Houston Texans in Week 1, everyone thought that was impressive, but it’s less so after what the Texans looked like this week. Then, the Patriots went out and were handled by the Jacksonville Jaguars in Week 2. Now they could look to Josh Gordon to try and help turn things around.
According to a report from Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Patriots and Browns are nearing a deal for Gordon. Rapoport added that it’s “not official” at the moment, but all signs point to the former Cleveland Brown heading to join Tom Brady and Bill Belichick.
The Browns elected to release Gordon prior to their Week 2 game following his suspension-filled career to this point. Though he is clean and reinstated, a hamstring injury suffered during a promotional shoot and then a late arrival to a team meeting on Saturday led to his release.
However, when trade calls started pouring in, reports then turned to the idea that he might be traded. He expressed love to Cleveland on social media, but appeared ready for new opportunities.
New England can certainly provide that. Currently, they are two games into Julian Edelman’s four-game suspension for PED use. However, they aren’t exactly rife with talent at receiver even with Edelman in the fold. Perhaps the best indication of this is the fact that they’ve tried to make players like Eric Decker, Kenny Britt and others stick. None of them have, but Gordon might.
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Questions regarding Gordon have never been about his talent — it’s all been his off-field issues. On the field, however, he’s absolutely transcendent. When he returned to the Browns at the end of 2017, he hadn’t played in essentially two years. Even then, he was able to get right back out there and make things happen, and that was with abysmal quarterback play (and coaching, for what it’s worth).
Quarterback play and coaching won’t be an issue with the Patriots. Brady is still throwing the ball at a high level and Belichick remains one of the best coaches in the league. Thus, in an ideal world where Gordon is healthy both physically and mentally, we could see the best version of the wide receiver yet.
From the perspective of the team, they need that type of game-breaking talent. It was abundantly clear against the Jaguars in the AFC Championship Game rematch that they lacked an extra gear. As good as Edelman is, even he’s not going to provide that once his suspension is over. Gordon, however, could.
There is certainly an inherent risk in signing Gordon. Yes, he’s been on the straight-and-narrow recently, but addiction is a disease not to be taken lightly. Thus, the Patriots will have to do their due diligence before they land him and if they bring him in to make sure he’s able to maintain his current status mentally.
If it were to work out, though, Gordon could be the exact weapon that New England needs. This Patriots team should win the AFC East running away, but they need an element that will take them to a new level to compete for a Super Bowl again. With what he can provide an offense and when you consider pairing him with Brady, Josh Gordon could be the push to that next level.
Update: Per ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the Patriots have acquired Josh Gordon for a fifth round pick.