Remember Josh Gordon? He was one of the NFL’s most talented -- and most troubled -- stars when the New England Patriots took a chance on him in 2018 to pair him with Tom Brady. What’s he doing now? Let’s check in with the former star wide receiver.
Where are former Patriots now? WR Josh Gordon (2018-2019)
Gordon is one of the biggest “what if” stories this century for the NFL and the Patriots. The former All-Pro wide receiver had all the talent in the world, but kept running into trouble off the field.
Talking to Casino Beats earlier this month, Gordon said he’s living in Texas and enjoying his life post-football, spending more time with family and friends -- and has taken up golfing.
Gordon is more than aware that substance abuse derailed what could have been a Hall of Fame career. He’s retired now, but admits he “could still be playing” at 33.
“It’s good to say that actively playing football is behind me,” Gordon said. “It feels good to say that, and hey, I tried. I made some money, and no, I didn’t make what I wanted to, but I’m still here. I’m healthy, I’ve got my faculties about me, I didn’t have major surgeries. I’m thankful for a lot of things, man.”
Gordon told Casino Beats that he’d been watching Drake Maye since his days at North Carolina. Before the New England Patriots drafted Maye, Gordon noticed that the young quarterback was following him on Instagram. Gordon messaged Maye, telling the Tar Heel he was a fan of his.
“I’m like, ‘Look, bro, I like your game too.’ And sure enough, years later, he ended up getting drafted to the Patriots, I was like, ‘This guy’s a dawg and I knew it back then,’” Gordon said. “Drake Maye, they’ve got a gem over there. He’s going to do some special things for them.”
Gordon arrived in the NFL in 2021 as a second-round pick of the Cleveland Browns in the supplemental draft. A year later, he was an All-Pro who led the NFL with 1,646 receiving yards.
But soon after, substance abuse issues and suspensions would derail Gordon’s career.
He was suspended for most of the 2014 season for violating the league’s substance-abuse policy. In 2015, he was suspended again for the same infraction and missed the entire season. In 2016, he entered rehab and spent the season away from the Browns.
Gordon finally returned to the field toward the end of the 2017 season for a few games when he was granted reinstatement to the NFL.
In 2018, Gordon fell out of favor for good in Cleveland, leading to a trade that sent him to New England. With Brady as his quarterback, Gordon had his best season since his All-Pro campaign in 2013, catching 40 passes for 720 yards and 3 touchdowns with New England.
However, Gordon’s off-field abuse issues lingered. In December of the 2018 season, he announced that he was stepping away to address his “mental health.” That same day, the NFL announced that it had suspended Gordon indefinitely for another violation of its substance abuse policy.
Weeks before the start of the 2019 season, Gordon was reinstated, allowing him to return to the field for New England. Gordon played six games for the Patriots in 2019 before being placed on injured reserve with a knee injury. He was waived soon after.
Gordon was later picked up by the Seahawks, but was suspended after a fifth violation of the league’s substance abuse policy by the end of the season.
Gordan then bounced around multiple teams and leagues. In 2021, he played two games for the FCF Zappers of the Fan Controlled Football League. He also had a stint with the Chiefs in 2021, for which he got a Super Bowl ring. He also played for the Titans in 2022. Gordon’s last appearance on a football roster was with the XFL’s Seattle Sea Dragons in 2023.
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