Josh Gordon is a wide receiver who can help take the New England Patriots’ passing attack to the next level, and this may be the season Tom Brady gets to fully benefit from his talents.
Throughout the offseason, videos surfaced of New England Patriots Hall of Fame quarterback Tom Brady and oft-suspended wide receiver Josh Gordon training together. Despite there being no indication that Gordon’s status would change, the NFL has reportedly reinstated the talented wideout for the upcoming season.
This news comes from ESPN‘s Adam Schefter and NFL fans are stunned, but in a positive way. As of June, Gordon didn’t even have a timeline for a review regarding his indefinite suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse policy, perThe Athletic‘s Jeff Howe. Gordon didn’t even apply for reinstatement, according to Pro Football Talk’s Charean Williams, until earlier this month.
But now, Gordon is back and potentially ready to contribute to the Patriots. Getting in game shape is entirely different, but with the regular season still weeks away, the Pats can be optimistic that he will be ready to be a factor. He’s already had about a year to learn the complex system and, judging by the offseason work he’s put in with Brady, he should be ready to have a rapport with the notoriously precise quarterback.
At 28, Gordon should still be plenty explosive, as NFL fans fondly remember his 1,600-yard receiving season in 14 games with the disastrous 2013 Cleveland Browns. Even at this age, fans can only imagine what Gordon would be capable of, especially if he can finally suit up for a full 16 games.
That’s a huge “if,” but with Julian Edelman suspended for four games, Rob Gronkowski retired, and talented first-round rookie N’Keal Harry still learning the ropes, the opportunity is there for Gordon to blow everyone away with a bounce-back season.
Anything the Patriots get from Gordon going forward is a bonus, but considering they tendered him as a restricted free agent this offseason, it’s reasonable to say that Bill Belichick and co. understand he can be a real game-changer for the defending champions.