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.
Shortly after Schefter’s tweet, the Browns officially announced the trade.
To make room for Gordon, the Patriots reportedly are cutting ties with another former Browns receiver.
And it’s possible Gordon plays as early as Week 3.
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.
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.
