The Browns-Patriots trade pipeline might be set to produce its biggest deal yet. The Patriots are discussing a deal for Josh Gordon, and Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reports (on Twitter) they are getting close to hammering out an agreement.
Cleveland announced intentions of jettisoning its mercurial pass-catching talent on Saturday, and as many as 10 teams have contacted the Browns about Gordon. The Patriots appear to be one of them. They’ve been discussing wideouts with other teams as well, per Mike Garafolo of NFL.com (on Twitter).
New England would make sense for Gordon, given its issues at wide receiver and Tom Brady now in his age-41 season. The superstar wideout would be an upgrade for the Pats, who are still two games away from getting Julian Edelman back. Edelman and Gordon obviously do not have similar skill sets, so the two could (on paper) coexist for a team trying to keep its Super Bowl championship window open.
While not all of Bill Belichick‘s gambles have worked out, the additions of Corey Dillon in 2004 and Randy Moss three years later paid off massively for the Patriots. Gordon has encountered far more trouble than either but is not believed to be facing another suspension. He played in Week 1 for the Browns, catching a touchdown pass, but was deactivated on Sunday after apparently injuring his hamstring during a promotional video shoot.
The 49ers and Jets were believed to be interested, John Lynch admitted he inquired about the 27-year-old talent, and rumblings about a Gordon-to-Philadelphia scenario have surfaced. But Jason La Canfora of CBS Sports doesn’t believe the Eagles are in the Gordon hunt (Twitter link).
The Patriots may be willing to make the best offer. New England and Cleveland have agreed to deals on Jamie Collins, Danny Shelton, Jason McCourty and Barkevious Mingo in recent years. A Gordon-to-Foxborough agreement, though, would easily surpass these in terms of headline impact.
Best known for his rampant unavailability and a historically dominant 2013 season, earning him a first-team All-Pro honor prior to his slew of suspension troubles, Gordon going to New England would be fascinating. He’s obviously never played with a quarterback on Brady’s level and has two possible years of team control on his 2012 rookie contract. Gordon will be a restricted free agent after this season.
Chris Hogan and Phillip Dorsett reside as the Pats’ top available receivers. No player is perhaps further away from being a sure thing than Gordon, his having missed all but 11 games since the start of the 2014 season, but Albert Breer of SI.com notes Gordon could potentially be had for a late-round pick. With so many teams inquiring, it’s conceivable Cleveland could net a mid-round selection for its most talented receiver, but Gordon’s baggage could limit the haul.
Wowowowowow
And the masses shall praise Belichick as the Almighty Healer! Josh Gordon shall be plagued by the devil weed no longer and go onto a HOF career with New England and 5 or 6 more Super Bowl wins shall result from this divine acquisition! Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Crack kills
Say no to drugs kids!
Of course he’s going to the Pats. Was stupid to think my 9ers had a chance. The Pats strike again lol. Good deal for them, they need a WR. He’s a huge risk but if he can stay healthy and our of trouble he’s a beast.
Jets should jump a try to steal. It’s the leverage we need over them
The aim is to win games, not petty feuds and back pages.
Is that the best place for a troubled young man ala Aaron Hernandez
???? Are you suggesting that the Patriots had something to do with Hernandez killing someone??
This is a historically bad take
Why his lawyer didn’t raise that as a defense at the trail, I don’t know…
I love love LOVE this move, if this happens when Edelman comes back teams will have to try to stop Edelman, Gronk, Hogan, Gordon, White, Burkhead, and possibly Michel… So many weapons
You mean like how they had to stop Cooks last year?
No. You just have to stop TB12.
I knew this was coming
Great move. Hire someone to be with him 24/7 throughout the year to avoid any off field distractions.
11 games since 2014 and everyone is asking as if he is a savior. I seriously hope you don’t have to rely on Josh Gordon for long. This isn’t Moss or Dillon.
This young man needs some serious help. And it’s not gonna happen on a football field.
Well, this should be interesting.
Randy Moss all over again
It was here or Dallas I figured
All he did was smoke some weed. Get over it. This is a fantastic pickup.
What an idiot. He admitted to being drunk or high before every game he ever played as a Brown. “All he did was smoke some weed.” All Hernandez did was buy some guns.” Patsies are getting desperate…again. Don’t worry, Kraft, the Patriot Way will rehabilitate him, just like Hernandez.