What’s going on with the Josh Gordon trade?
Bill Belichick said Wednesday that the deal has not been finalized.
For two days now, Patriots coach Bill Belichick has not commented on the team’s acquisition of wide receiver Josh Gordon, saying again Wednesday that the trade is not yet finalized.
The deal on Monday was reported to be Gordon for a fifth-round pick, and if Gordon isn’t active for at least 10 games, then Cleveland would send a late-round pick to New England.
The Browns and the Patriots separately announced the deal.
#Patriots acquire WR Josh Gordon in a trade with Cleveland; Release WR Corey Coleman: https://t.co/aM42KYCPSr
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 17, 2018
We’ve traded WR Josh Gordon to the New England Patriots. pic.twitter.com/2eYO4A69jq
— Cleveland Browns (@Browns) September 17, 2018
It was on the NFL transaction wire on Tuesday, which typically happens after the completion of a physical.
Boom pic.twitter.com/0hJzX2pzZV
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 18, 2018
Breathe easy, everyone. The Josh Gordon trade is on the wire.
The 5th-rounder the Patriots gave up is in 2019, the conditional 7th is originally a Chiefs pick. pic.twitter.com/rmuE3lKlgc
— Nora Princiotti (@NoraPrinciotti) September 18, 2018
Look at New England’s recent social media, and all posts point to Gordon very much being a Patriot, including players talking about the former All-Pro during availability on Tuesday.
Welcome to New England, @JOSH_GORDONXII! #GoPats pic.twitter.com/8JjptacRNi
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) September 17, 2018
https://twitter.com/Patriots/status/1041838713272258560?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw%7Ctwcamp%5Etweetembed%7Ctwterm%5E1041838713272258560%7Ctwgr%5E373939313b636f6e74726f6c&ref_url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.bostonglobe.com%2Fsports%2Fpatriots%2F2018%2F09%2F19%2Fwhat-going-with-josh-gordon-trade%2FwSsdNqlRgDjpkjzgaUXUvM%2Fstory.html
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn2CcEIA3k5/?utm_source=ig_embed
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bn34fLvDPrl/?utm_source=ig_embed
Gordon is also listed on the roster on the team’s website:
And Gordon was at Patriots practice Wednesday, wearing No. 10:
Josh Gordon, wearing No.10, is here at #Patriots practice. Cyrus Jones officially back, too. Trey Flowers and Patrick Chung (concussions) are absent. pic.twitter.com/nAbqcqlrMU
— Jim McBride (@globejimmcbride) September 19, 2018
But Belichick has insisted the deal is not done.
On Tuesday, he said: “We’re at the same place with him that we were [Monday]. We’re in the process of working through it. We’ll see how it goes.’’
On Wednesday, he said much of the same: “We’ll talk about it when it’s done, if it’s done.’’ Belichick was then asked directly how the trade could be on the transaction wire if it is not finalized. “There are terms that have to be met before it’s finalized,’’ he responded.
So what could be the “finish of the trade’’ to which Belichick refers? According to the NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the delay is “related to a tweak in the language.’’ Pelissero reported that the Patriots will now get a seventh-round pick without any conditions.
My understanding is the holdup in the Josh Gordon trade is related to a tweak in language. Basically, the #Patriots will get a 7th-round pick back from the #Browns. Should be done soon.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) September 19, 2018
Belichick does not have media availability again until Friday.
So at 11 am, Belichick refuses to answer any questions about Josh Gordon. At 12:30, Gordon is on the field practicing with the Patriots. And now Belichick won’t speak to the media again until Friday morning
— Ben Volin (@BenVolin) September 19, 2018
We’ll update this post as more information becomes available.
