The Patriots offense was left without many answers after Sunday's beatdown in Jacksonville but that might be changing soon.
NFL Network is reporting that the Patriots have finalized a deal to acquire Browns receiver Josh Gordon for a conditional fifth round pick.
Gordon was on the trading block after a bizarre sequence over the weekend that evidently was the final straw for Cleveland. Gordon arrived at the team's facility on Saturday prior to the team's flight to New Orleans but informed the coaches that he would not be able to play due to a sore hamstring. Reports indicated the injury occurred during a promotional photo shoot, and Browns GM John Dorsey released a statement shortly after explaining that the team planned to release him on Monday. Later, various reports indicated the team hoped to trade the talented but troubled wide receiver sooner rather than later.
Gordon has had numerous suspensions that have cost him quite a bit of playing time not to mention money. He was suspended for two games for violating the league's substance-abuse policy in 2013 and lost the entire 2015 season due another substance-abuse violation. That was later reduced to 10 games, but he then was suspended for the finale by the Browns for violating team rules.
A positive alcohol test cost him the 2016 season, a punishment that was upheld when he failed another drug test while applying for reinstatement. He eventually had that reduced to the first four games but instead checked himself into a rehab facility before applying for reinstatement once again in March of 2017. In all Gordon has played just 41 games in his seven seasons in the league.
Gordon was eventually reinstated in November of 2017 and finished out the season in Cleveland. He signed a one-year deal to remain with the Browns, but took some personal time away from the team during training camp this summer. He participated in the Week 1 tie against Pittsburgh, catching a 17-yard touchdown.
Then the strange turn of events over the weekend left him available, and the Patriots expressed interest. Personal struggles aside it's not hard to understand why. New England has limited depth at the position and Gordon is as talented as any pass catcher in the league. In 2013 he had 87 catches 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns. Since then he's played in only 11 games and made just 43 catches.
