Top Target Josh Gordon Leaving Patriots to Focus on Mental Health

The Josh Gordon experiment in New England is over.

Surprisingly, it was Gordon, not the team, that pulled the plug.

In a brief statement released on Twitter on Thursday, Gordon said he will be stepping away from the team to focus on this mental health.

https://twitter.com/JOSH_GORDONXII/status/1075759466065338368

Statement from the New England Patriots on Josh Gordon: pic.twitter.com/tXmXrXVrJL

— New England Patriots (@Patriots) December 20, 2018

Gordon has previously exited football to focus on his mental well-being but has also been suspended multiple times for violating the NFL’s substance-abuse policy.

Nothing is official at this point, but it appears that Gordon announcing he was stepping away may have just been a means of heading things off at the pass.

#Patriots WR Josh Gordon is facing another indefinite suspension for violating terms of his reinstatement under the substance abuse policy, per source. He announced today he’s stepping away to address his mental health.

— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) December 20, 2018

Whether Gordon violated the substance abuse policy or his decision to leave is simply a violation of reinstatement in and of itself is unclear.

However, there is this:

Josh Gordan was notified this morning of a suspension. He decided to make his announcement after receiving the notification in an attempt to get ahead of the news.

— Jason Cole (@JasonCole62) December 20, 2018

Last month, Gordon said he was looking forward to contributing to the team during meaningful games in December.

“It’s different, that’s for sure,” Gordon said. “It’s exciting. It’s motivational for me and for everybody. I’ve never really got the opportunity before, considering the circumstances. So it’s great to have the opportunity now.”

Now that he is leaving football, possibly for the last time, he will no longer have that chance.