Josh Gordon’s future with the New England Patriots is in the NFL’s hands.
Gordon applied for reinstatement on Wednesday and now has to wait for a ruling. He signed a restricted free-agent tender in April and will play for the Patriots in 2019 if he’s reinstated. Nobody in the Patriots organization knows whether or Gordon will be allowed to return to the league.
The only known thing is that Gordon has some real issues, and his history with substance abuse doesn’t show much promise for his future in the league. He will have to really prove that things have changed to get reinstated. Writing for The Athletic, Jay Glazer broke down the steps that Gordon would have to take to make a return.
It’s really on Josh to convince them that he is going to abide by the drug rules. The NFL has changed their tune — they’re no longer trying to ban guys from the NFL for these recreational drugs, especially marijuana. They realize that a lot of them are using it for mental health and for anxiety issues. They’re not trying to be like they used to be, which was zero-tolerance; they’re trying to be more understanding these days, but this is on Josh Gordon to say, “This is what I’ve done for my recovery, I’m clean and sober, this is how I plan on staying clean and sober, I deserve this chance.” He’s got to convince them, not the other way around.
Gordon is an exceptional talent, but his capabilities seemed to dwindle while playing with his original team, the Cleveland Browns. After being traded to New England in the middle of last September, he recorded 40 receptions for 720 yards and three touchdowns in 11 games.
He’s formed an incredible relationship with Tom Brady, and that alone creates optimism for his future. Brady is trying to steer him down the right path, and Gordon seems to want it for himself.
It’s time for him to formulate a plan, prove that he can stick to that plan — and then he can continue his NFL career.
