Josh Gordon is officially, definitely a New England Patriot. But for whatever reason, Bill Belichick is still claiming the deal isn’t final. Even though it’s final.
The Patriots’ trade for Gordon appeared on the NFL’s official transaction wire on Tuesday, indicating that the former Browns receiver passed his physical and the trade is done. He’s on the official roster at Patriots.com. The Patriots made an official announcement of the trade. Yet Belichick says that other things still need to happen before it’s officially officially official.
“There are terms that need to be met before the trade is finalized,” said Belichick, who stiff-armed several other questions about the details of the trade. He eventually hit us with a “Next question”.
It’s curious that Belichick is still saying that the trade is not finalized, even though the league’s official transactions say it’s been finalized. It’s unclear whatever other details need to be worked through. And even if those details have been worked through, it’s just clear that Belichick isn’t willing to talk about Gordon just yet.
Update: The NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero tweeted that the “holdup” is a “tweak in language.” He indicates that the Patriots are getting a seventh-round pick back from the Browns. The trade was originally reported as Gordon for a conditional fifth-round pick, which would become a seventh-rounder if Gordon isn’t on the Patriots’ active roster for at least 10 games. Sounds like it will instead be a swap of a fifth for a seventh, in addition to Gordon going to the Pats.
Belichick said at the start of his presser that the team is still working through some transactions that should be out around the start of Patriots practice on Wednesday. Those moves also include the reported signing of cornerback/punt returner Cyrus Jones and release of running back Kenjon Barner.
— By Matt Dolloff, 985TheSportsHub.com
Matt Dolloff is a digital producer for 985TheSportsHub.com. Any opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect those of 98.5 The Sports Hub, Beasley Media Group, or any subsidiaries. Have a news tip, question, or comment for Matt? Follow him on Twitter @mattdolloff or email him at matthew.dolloff@bbgi.com.