Josh Gordon heading to New England.

This weekend the Browns informed Josh Gordon that they were going to release him on Monday, now on Monday the team had traded Gordon to the New England Patriots along with a conditional 2019 seventh round pick for a conditional 2019 fifth round pick.

Drafted in the second round of the 2012 supplemental draft, Josh Gordon spent six seasons with the Cleveland Browns. Gordon lead the league in receiving yards in 2013 with 4,646 yards but missed both the 2015 and 2016 season‘s after being suspended for violating the NFL substance abuse program. The Browns continued to invest and support Josh Gordon, Gordon made his return to play the team’s final five games last season and he went to seek mental health. Gordon returned again in the preseason and last week in the Browns opener against the Pittsburg Steelers, he caught a 17 yard touchdown pass to tie the game that ended in a tie.

However, Josh Gordon showed up late to practice Friday and complained about his hamstring injury and that was the final straw for both Gordon and the Browns organization. General manager John Dorsey stated that while the team continued to invest and support Josh but there came a time when both sides needed to part ways. As the Browns informed Gordon he would release him, the Browns went out to explore trade offers for him and the Patriots came calling.

The Patriots acquired Josh Gordon on Monday and have decided to cut former Browns recover Corey Coleman. The Patriots have traded for big name receivers before, In 2007 they acquired Randy Moss and went 16-0 to the Super Bowl only to fall short against the New York Giants. In 2011, they acquired Chad Johnson from the Bengals but Johnson was not the elite receiver that he once was in Cincinnati. Last year they acquired Brandin Cooks from the Saints but after falling short to the Philadelphia Eagles in the Super Bowl, they traded away Cooks to the Los Angeles Rams.

The Patriots a quite of a bit short handed of receivers, Julian Eldman is serving his suspension for violating the league’s substance abuse program, Danny Amendola left to sign with the Miami Dolphins in the offseason, and Eric Decker dropped a retirement bombshell in the preseason. Now by acquiring Josh Gordon, this move is bit of a risk, especially for a guy that has been suspend twice for violating the NFL’s substance abuse program and is going through mental health issues. But right now, quaterback Tom Brady needs some weapons and Josh Gordon can be that guy. If Gordon can stay out of trouble and stay on the football field and dominated, the Patriots can still be able to remain on top of the AFC. For Josh Gordon, this may very well be his last chance and another opportunity he cannot let slip through his fingers.