The Chicago Bears trade for Josh Gordon. A year ago that would’ve sounded insane. Gordon, age 25, was in a drug rehabilitation facility. He was trying to get clean after repeated NFL violations for marijuana use. Already enduring a number of suspensions, it was clear to him and those close to him that he had to make sure he was clean. Otherwise another violation could get him banned from the league.
Now? Sometimes priorities change in this league. The Bears are breaking in an entirely new quarterback depth chart, headlined by Mike Glennon. A man who hasn’t started a game since 2014. Ironically the last year Gordon saw playing time. Meanwhile the team watched their best wide receiver, Alshon Jeffery, depart to take a one-year deal in Philadelphia. Thus leaving their passing offense in question.
GM Ryan Pace has tried to cover the loss with additions like Markus Wheaton and Kendall Wright. Still, it feels like the void is still very much there. Only a proven talent could fill it. Would the Bears dare consider a play for Gordon? It seems the opportunity is almost at hand.
A Bears trade for Josh Gordon is not crazy
Mary Kay Cabot of Cleveland.com indicated that even if Gordon is reinstated this year, the odds are long that he’ll remain with the team.
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“Josh Gordon is hoping for a decision on his reinstatement by late April or early May, according to a report, but he’s still not in the Browns’ plans for 2017.
Even if he is reinstated, it’s doubtful the Browns will give him another chance. A source said they’ll likely try to trade him or possibly even release him. They have his rights for two more years after he’s reinstated.”
It may sound crazy. How in the world could the Browns trade a player who hasn’t logged a significant snap in three years? Well when one is as talented as Gordon, exceptions are made. He’ll only be 26-years old this season. He has no injury history and was one of the five best wide receivers in football prior to his last suspension. When he got a chance to play in the 2016 preseason, that old magic was still there.
Gordon had 1,646 yards in 2013 for the Browns, most in the league that year. Given the quarterbacks throwing to him, that was an unreal accomplishment. His ability to dominate the game was impossible to ignore. If anything he would be an upgrade over what the Bears just lost in Jeffery. Of course there is the off-the-field concerns, so it’s a risk. Then again there is no success in this league without taking risks.
The cost?
Back in 2007, the Oakland Raiders traded a disgruntled Randy Moss to New England. Moss was 30-years old at the time. It ended up costing a fourth round pick. Keep in mind Chicago has two of them this year. Then again, it probably wouldn’t cost that much with Gordon. Even though he’s younger, he also has a good deal more baggage. One more violation could see him kicked out of the league. So Cleveland would never be able to drive the price too high.
Odds are it would take no more than a sixth rounder, and more likely a seventh. That’s pennies for what they could get in return. Gordon is owed no guaranteed money and would cost barely over $1 million in base salary. He’ll be a free agent after the 2017 season. So if it doesn’t work out, they lose no cap space and are out a throwaway draft pick.
On the other hand if they can put him in a locker room with good leadership, which they’ve built over the past couple years, this may be just the type of low-risk-high-reward move that gets the offense geared up for long-term success.
