CLEVELAND, OH – SEPTEMBER 9, 2018: Wide receiver Josh Gordon #12 of the Cleveland Browns celebrates after catching a touchdown pass in the fourth quarter of a game against the Pittsburgh Steelers on September 9, 2018 at FirstEnergy Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio. The game ended in a tie 21-21. (Photo by: 2018 Nick Cammett/Diamond Images/Getty Images)
Josh Gordon is moving from the basement to the penthouse. Moving from the Browns to the Patriots is the perfect move for the troubled wide receiver.
There are only a few NFL teams that have a stable enough locker room to get the most out of Josh Gordon. The New England Patriots happen to be at the top of that short list. Fortunately for Gordon, he looks to be headed to Foxborough.
Ian Rapoport of NFL Network is reporting that the Patriots and Browns are closing in on a deal that would send Gordon to New England. Tom Brady’s offense is in need of a big time talent at the wide receiver position. Gordon certainly has the ability to be a Pro Bowler on the outside.
Unfortunately, he also has the off the field baggage to flame out and be out of the league by the time the season’s over. That’s why it’s so important that he land with the right team this week. It’s hard to imagine a better situation than the Patriots provide.
Bill Belichick runs the tightest ship in the NFL. He treats his players as professionals at all times. Gordon will have every resource to be successful in New England, but he’ll need to grow up quickly. The Browns arguably enabled his bad decisions at various points of his time in Cleveland. He won’t get that kind of treatment from Belichick and the Patriots’ organization.
On the field, Gordon is the perfect cure for what ails the New England offense. Their failure to move the ball against the Jaguars last week laid their issues at wide receiver bare for all the world to see. The addition of Gordon on the outside will give Brady a lot more options to work with. No one should be surprised if Gordon quickly becomes his favorite target.
The decision to buy-low on Gordon is a classic Patriots maneuver. If he flames out, they likely have lost some marginal draft capital. If this move hits, it could add another Super Bowl ring to a lot of people in New England’s collections. Now it’s time to see if Gordon can make the most of this golden opportunity.