On Monday, the New England Patriots acquired wide receiver Josh Gordon from the Cleveland Browns finally adding some high-level talent to a depleted wide receiving core.
Josh Gordon is a member of the New England Patriots.
Yes, you read that right. After the Cleveland Browns announced earlier this weekend that they were planning on releasing the troubled wideout, many teams inquired and were looking to make a trade.
The Browns and Patriots struck a deal Monday afternoon, sending Gordon to New England and making him one of Tom Brady’s newest weapons.
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Now, there are many mixed feelings on the trade, here are 3 reasons why it is a good decision for the Patriots.
1. The cost is very cheap
Josh Gordon was once an elite player in the NFL. Opposing teams feared having to face him.
The Patriots had to part ways with a 2019 fifth round pick. The Patriots will also pay the remaining $697,085 on his current contract, much cheaper than what Danny Amendola got or what free agent Dez Bryant wants. New England can also tender him after this season.
If Gordon is not active for 10 games this season in New England, the Patriots will get a 2019 seventh-round pick back from Cleveland.
This trade is a great, low-risk, high reward type trade for New England. So far, it looks like the Patriots made out very well on this one. Only time will tell.
2. He provides depth and talent at WR
Josh Gordon provides great depth at a very weak wide receiver position in New England.
Once Julian Edelman returns from his suspension in 2 weeks, the Patriots will have Chris Hogan, Phillip Dorsett, Josh Gordon and Julian Edelman lining up for Tom Brady. Not to mention Rob Gronkowski and the many running backs that can line up as wideouts as well.
Brady will have a plethora of options to go with the ball and will cause a nightmare for opposing teams to game-plan come Sunday.
In 2013, Gordon had a career year. He put up 1646 receiving yards, 9 touchdowns and had 87 receptions. Gordon was an absolute beast. In weeks 9 and 10 of the 2013 season, he put up 237 receiving yards and then 261 receiving yards.
The talent is definitely there, let’s just hope he stays around for the rest of the season. If anyone can elevate Gordon back to his former self, it is Tom Brady.
3. Bill Belichick and Tom Brady can bring out the best in him
We all know that the Brady – Belichick duo is the best quarterback – coach tandem in the league. Bill turns ordinary players into great players, and Brady can make just about anyone look like an elite receiver.
This isn’t the Patriots first time bringing in a troubled receiver, most recently Michael Floyd. Now, the Floyd addition didn’t really pan out, but we also remember Randy Moss’s time in New England.
Before Moss came to the Patriots, he had issues with his former teams, as he would publicly out his quarterback. That all changed in 2007 when Brady and Moss put together historic seasons.
Josh Gordon has had his fair share of issues in his NFL career. After getting suspended multiple times for substance abuse issues, Gordon seems to finally have turned the page in his life.
If there is any team that can bring Gordon back to his former self and straightens him out, it is the tightly run New England Patriots.
All we can hope for as Patriots fans is that Gordon puts in a full week of practice, stays straight, and plays next Sunday night against the Lions.
Gordon should be one of Brady’s top targets in these next 2 weeks as we wait for Julian Edelman to return. Once No.11 comes back, Tom Brady and the New England Patriots offense should be firing on all cylinders.