Bill Belichick on Josh Gordon: ‘I hope he’s able to deal with it successfully’
The Patriots coach addressed the situation Friday morning.
FOXBOROUGH — Coach Bill Belichick says he wishes Gordon “the very best,” after the NFL announced Thursday Gordon had been suspended indefinitely for violating the terms of his reinstatement. “I spoke with Josh yesterday morning, as I have several times since he’s been here, and it’s obviously an unfortunate situation,” Belichick told reporters Friday. “I’ve spoken about him at length over the last three months, so I don’t really have anything, at this point, to add to that. It’s a private matter. I hope he’s able to deal with it successfully.” Belichick didn’t have much else to say about Gordon, who, due to an ongoing battle with substance abuse, hasn’t been active for a full NFL season since his rookie year. Before his suspension became public knowledge, the 27-year-old shared on Twitter that he would be stepping away from football to focus on his mental health.Did Belichick feel the team did everything they could while Gordon was with the team? “I’m not going to address or make any comments on that,” he said. Are the Patriots going to continue to work with Gordon or part ways?
“We’re going to get ready for Buffalo and play Buffalo on Sunday,” he said.With Gordon out, the Patriots will rely on other members of the receiver depth chart to fill the void against their divisional opponent Sunday. Belichick revealed little about the impending game plan, though receivers Cordarrelle Patterson, Chris Hogan, and Phillip Dorsett will likely experience an uptake in snap counts. “We have a lot of good players,” Belichick said. “We have a lot of people that have contributed and performed well for us. We have a lot of confidence in them and the whole team.”The Patriots could also look externally for assistance, given the newly opened spot on the 53-man roster, but it could be difficult for a newcomer to master the playbook in such a short period of time. Belichick, characteristically, did not tip his hand about whether New England’s plans include adding a wide receiver. Asked if Gordon’s suspension came at a tough time — Thursday in Week 16 — the coach shrugged. “It is what it is.”
