Traded to The Patriots: A Star Wide-Receiver

By GIANNA GALLAGHER ‘21

Recent excitement from New England Patriots fans has focused around Josh Gordon, a former Cleveland Browns Wide-Receiver, getting drafted to the Patriots. In early September, the New England Patriots traded for Gordon, causing much excitement among players, coaches, and fans.

Gordon, originally drafted to the Cleveland Browns in 2012, was released by the team in exchange for a fifth-round pick in the 2019 draft. For the past 6 years, Josh Gordon has struggled with  drug addiction. According to nfl.com writer Nick Shook, Gordon’s drug addiction allowed him to play in only 41 games out of 98 possible games; Josh Gordon has been eligible to play in less than 50% of his games during his career in the NFL.

In contrast to the shockingly low number of games Gordon has played, he has managed to earn remarkable stats. As Ben Volin stated, “there is no denying Gordon’s talent. A second-round supplemental draft pick in 2012, Gordon had 805 yards and five touchdowns as a rookie, then exploded in 2013, catching 87 passes for 1,646 yards and nine touchdowns.” Throughout a sportatic career with Cleveland, Gordon was able to secure several impressive records, such as the most receiving yards in a game as well as in a season, the most receptions in a game, and the most 100+ receiving yard games. Because of these stats, the Patriots, willing to risk Gordon’s chance of not playing, decided to sign him. Making a trade this big was of course not of “free costs.” Shook explains that in order for Gordon to be placed on the roster, the Patriots had to cut another player: Corey Coleman, previously a Browns’ first-round pick, was cut to allow for space on the New England Patriots roster.

On September 30th, Gordon played in his first game with the Patriots against the Miami Dolphins. Despite his jaw-dropping records, his first game only resulted in his catching two passes for 32 yards, assisting in the final 38-7 win. In an article uploaded by CBS Sports, John Breech explained that although Gordon only caught two passes from Brady, both catches occured on third down, allowing the drive against Miami to continue. John Breech of CBS Sports also shared that “Brady was so impressed with his newest teammate,” highlighting the excitement and hope the Patriots have for Gordon as the season progresses. Pats Nation keeps an optimistic outlook on Gordon for the 2018 football season. Although this amazing Wide-Receiver was not seen that much in his first game with his new team, it is Gordon’s incredible talent that keeps Patriots fans enthused about the upcoming season with him. The Patriots fans could not be more eager to see the prodigious outcomes that Gordon will bring to our football team this season, as he is partnered with the one and only Tom Brady.