Patriots Believe Josh Gordon Eluded Round-The-Clock Security Plan During Bye Week

Adam Schefter of ESPN reports that the Patriots had an elaborate security plan in place for WR Josh Gordon to try to prevent him from a slipup.

According to Schefter, New England assigned people to be with Gordon at all times so that he could avoid relapse, but even that wasn’t enough.

Sources have told Schefter that they believe Gordon somehow eluded New England’s security their bye weekend, when the Patriots had their weekend off.

Earlier in the day, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reported that Gordon was suspended indefinitely for multiple missed tests and his failed drug test was for more than marijuana.

Rapoport added that Gordon will need to show the NFL that he’s been clean for a sustained period of time to return. According to Rapoport, it’s possible Gordon could be back for the 2019 season.

On Thursday, Gordon announced that he was stepping away to focus on his mental health.

Shortly after that, reports surfaced that Gordon was being suspended for violating terms of his reinstatement under the substance abuse policy and NFL later confirmed the news.

Gordon, 27, is a former second-round supplemental pick of the Browns back in 2012. Suspensions forced Gordon to sit out the 2015 and 2016 seasons but he was reinstated in November of last year and finished out the seasons with the Browns.

The Browns re-signed Gordon to a one-year exclusive rights contract worth $790,000 but was traded to the Patriots for a 2019 fifth-round pick.

Gordon is in line to be a restricted free agent in 2019.

In 2018, Gordon has appeared in 12 games for the Patriots and caught 41 passes for 737 yards receiving and four touchdowns.

We’ll have more regarding Gordon as the news is available.