It’s no secret that when players leave the Patriots, there’s almost always a feeling of disdain towards the organization. Regardless of whether the player is traded, told to walk at the end of their contract, or simply cut, it almost never ends amicably.
Whether it’s because of the business-like environment that Bill Belichick has created, where players are viewed as a disposable piece at all times or the fact that team success is valued more than personal goals, there always tends to be a disconnect from the team and departing player.
With that in mind, it appears that former Patriots receiver and now-Seahawks wideout Josh Gordon may have taken a not-so-veiled shot at his former team and quarterback.
After the QBs Josh Gordon started with, he's relieved to have caught passes from Russell Wilson and Tom Brady at this stage of his career. pic.twitter.com/OBdqvLNrau
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) November 13, 2019
Now, it’s reported that this was said in a joking manner, but still, Gordon must’ve known that this comment or joke wouldn’t be just brushed under the rug. What’s the saying again, “there’s some truth in every ‘just kidding‘”?
Of course, receivers want to stand with their quarterback, which for Gordon is now Russell Wilson (who is great in his own right), but why bring up Tom Brady? There were dozens of different ways to answer this question.
Gordon could’ve just expressed his excitement at playing with another great QB. He could have focused on being the best version of himself. Or just deflected the question in general.
But maybe that’s just the “Patriot Way” to respond, a way that Gordon seemingly couldn’t grasp.
The Patriots took a chance on you when no other team would. You would think there would be no bad feelings or any shade, serious or in jest, thrown at them.
This isn’t the first sign of displeasure the receiver has shown with the Pats.
When the team announced Gordon would be going back on the IR, he decided to comment on the NFL’s Instagram post.
Whether the team had let Gordon know of the move beforehand or not, he was clearly irritated enough to comment on social media about the situation knowing people would jump to conclusions.
Gordon is known to be a pretty intelligent guy, despite his past discretions. There is a possibility he knows better than to come right out and voice his frustration with Bill Belichick for releasing him, but he instead decides to make a joke to try to voice his frustrations. Who knows.
It just seems strange that a receiver who got a chance to play with the consensus G.O.A.T. at quarterback would then go on and say he’s trending up when leaving said teammate.
Again, this all could be nothing, but when there’s smoke, there’s normally fire.
