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Josh Gordon is one of the most mercurial talents in NFL history. Blessed with God-given ability that normal people just don’t have, the wide receiver looks like the part of a dominant player — I mean, have you seen how jacked he keeps himself? Sadly, the one problem with Gordon is that he just can’t seem to kick his addiction or mental health issues, which have caused him to be suspended numerous times by the NFL, including an indefinite ban from the league; with the player hoping to get reinstated at some point during the 2019 regular season.
As Josh Gordon waits to see what the league might decide when it comes to his NFL future, his current team, the New England Patriots, seem to be moving on without him. That’s according to NFL analyst Ian Rapoport, who joined the Dale & Keefe radio show on WEEI recently to discuss what he’s heard from the Super Bowl champs about the status of Gordon.
“Josh Gordon, I don’t know. I know that for the Patriots, it’s not something that they’re talking about every day,” he said. “It’s not a guy who’s in their plans right now. I think that they would certainly welcome him back if he showed that he’s going to be a better version — as a person, I’m talking about — a better version of the one they got last year. I just don’t know that he’s actually going to get reinstated, prove to the Patriots that he has turned the corner, that he’s a different person, show that he’s in the right frame of mind.
“As always with Josh Gordon, the talent is incredible. We’ve seen probably one-tenth of it, honestly. But there’s always so much that goes into it. I think the Patriots know better than to say this is a guy we’re counting on for next season.”
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement as the Pats head into training camp. Obviously, given the fact that Josh Gordon isn’t currently even allowed to participate in any team activities because of his indefinite ban, the situation seems to be moot. When asked about Gordon and what his future in the league might be, Bill Belichick was pretty blunt, per Pro Football Talk, strictly saying “that’ll be a league matter. Talk to them about it.” So, yeah, not sounding too promising for Gordon.
After being acquired by the Patriots at the beginning of last season from the Cleveland Browns, Josh Gordon played in 11 games for the team, hauling in 40 catches for 720 yards and three touchdowns. However, he took time away in December to focus on his mental health, and, since then, no one knows much about what lies ahead for the wideout. Here’s to hoping he gets his life in order before worrying about what his pro football career might hold in store.