UPDATE (Monday, Sept. 17 at 4:20 p.m. ET): The Patriots and Browns have struck a deal. ESPN’s Adam Schefter tweeted the details of the trade, highlighted by Josh Gordon going to New England.
Full compensation trade update: Patriots send Browns a 2019 fifth-round pick for WR Josh Gordon and get back a 2019 seventh-round pick if he is not active for 10 games, source tells ESPN. Trade was supposed to be for a 6th-round pick, but Patriots don't have a 6th.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018
Shortly after Schefter’s tweet, the Browns officially announced the trade.
We've traded WR Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/2eYO4A69jq
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 17, 2018
To make room for Gordon, the Patriots reportedly are cutting ties with another former Browns receiver.
Source: in order to make room for Josh Gordon, the Patriots are cutting recently-signed WR Corey Coleman.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) September 17, 2018
And it’s possible Gordon plays as early as Week 3.
New Patriots WR Josh Gordon is healthy enough from his strained hamstring to play Sunday vs. the Lions, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 17, 2018
ORIGINAL STORY: The New England Patriots reportedly are the front-runners to win the Josh Gordon sweepstakes.
The Patriots are “getting close” on a trade for the Cleveland Browns wide receiver, NFL Media’s Ian Rapoport reported Monday, citing a source.
The #Patriots are getting close on a deal for #Browns WR Josh Gordon, source said. Not official yet but headed that way.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 17, 2018
New England was one of several teams rumored to be interested in Gordon after the Browns announced their plans Saturday to move on from the talented yet troubled wideout Monday.
Gordon has played in just 11 games over the last four-plus seasons while battling substance abuse and mental health issues. The 27-year-old caught a touchdown pass in his return to action in Week 1 but didn’t play in Week 2 after reportedly injuring his hamstring during a promotional photo shoot, and it appears Cleveland finally has had enough of his off-field missteps.
Gordon is on a team-friendly contract, however, and is a relatively-low risk option for a team like the Patriots that needs help at the wide receiver position.
It’s unclear what New England would have to give the Browns in return for Gordon, but Rapoport suggested the price could be a conditional mid-round draft pick.
