The fourth-year safety spoke in-depth about his journey with Casino Beats, and also took time out to talk about new Bears coach Ben Johnson, quarterback Caleb Williams, ex-Penn State teammate Tyler Warren, the CeeDee Lamb beef, Mike Tomlin and more.

Question: Have you met Ben Johnson? If so, what were your impressions?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yes, I actually did meet him. I met him in the offseason when I was working out up there. The first day or two it was tough to get him, because he was moving around, but the second or third day I got to meet him. And to be honest, I really thought it was going to be, like, a five-minute conversation, and it turned to, like, maybe an hour-thirty, two-hour conversation. And it was about ball, about life. He was very easy to talk to. You could tell he’s a great person, great man. He fits right in. It was a great conversation.”

Q: Everybody talks about what he can do from a schematic standpoint and how smart he is, but as a person, too, how important is that relationship?

Jaquan Brisker: “It’s important, especially player to coach, coach to player. That’s important to have that connection, that communication. I feel like it’s super important, and that’s what you need. You need a coach you can always go to or talk to. I thought it was gonna be five to 10, just a little quick, you know, what’s up? He told me to sit down and the conversation ended up going and going. We talked about so many different things. So I’m like, yeah, that connection is there. It was easy from there.”

Q: Dennis Allen is coming in for the defense. What do you know about his scheme? I’m not sure if you’ve met him or not, but what are your expectations looking at what he brings defensively?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yes, I also met with him. I met with all the coaches in the building when I was working out. Great conversation. Love all the coaches we have. And what I think about the scheme is it’s DB friendly. It looks like the defensive backs are going make a lot of plays and fly around. Sometimes he’s aggressive, sometimes he’s not. He’s changing it up. And then I just know he’s been top-five over a couple years. His defenses have been great.”

Q:  Do you know any defensive backs that have played in the scheme? I’m wondering if you’ve talked to anybody about how it’s gone for them, or do you just have more of a big picture overview?

Jaquan Brisker: “Just a big picture overview. I mean, obviously I know Tyrann (Mathieu) played there the last couple years. J.T. Gray. That’s just the Saints players that I watched (in the scheme). When we were in the draft, Dennis Allen and I met at the combine and they told me at 49 they were going to take me. They were going to pick me and I was like one pick away. So there was that connection always there. They had signed Tyrann, so I was going to come in to play next to him.”

Q: Did Dennis Allen say anything now that he finally landed you, maybe a few years later than he hoped? Did you bring it up?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yeah, we both kind of brought it up. He’s like, finally, we get to connect. And, you know, you get to coach me, I can play for you. So it was a great moment, because at the combine, I had a great interview with them, and I love Coach Allen. I still remember what he was trying to teach me at the Combine and said that to him, and he was laughing.”

Q: You have a pretty diverse skill-set, can get after that quarterback. Do you think your role will be similar to what you’ve done in the past?

Jaquan Brisker: “Well, last year, we ended up playing left and right, so I got the best of both worlds. I played free safety and strong safety. So me and Kevin Byard are looking to do the same thing, move around and fly around. And, you know, obviously, they’re probably gonna blitz me and things like that, do different things. So I’m definitely excited to see what’s gonna happen with positions I’m gonna play, especially on third down or whatever. It’s gonna be very exciting, especially since it’s DB-friendly. I watched their film, and I saw that sometimes they have seven DBs in there, eight DBs. I could tell he loved his DBs.”

Q: I wanted to talk to you a little bit about the Bears overall. Caleb Williams, everybody’s excited to see what he can do in his second year. What have been your impressions of Caleb?

Jaquan Brisker: “He’s a hard worker, he’s very locked in, he’s detailed. And he’s got that X-factor. I feel like he will take that next step. I feel like he has a chip on the shoulder from last season, especially the way it ended for us. We knew what the season was supposed to be, but it didn’t go that way. And I feel like he’s gonna have a chip on his shoulder to dominate the league. 

“And, yeah, he’s great. He’s a great teammate, great person. Just puts his head down and works, and I’m sure he’s working behind closed doors without posting. So it’s gonna be scary, because I know he has that attitude to where he wants to get back at people. And I like that. I know he’s gonna take over this league. Ben, him and Caleb paired up, it’s going to be amazing. That’s who Caleb wanted in the offseason. It’s going to be amazing seeing Caleb grow, and he’s ready.”

Q: Looking at the DB group – you talked about how DB friendly the new scheme is, and just how talented is that group of of players?

Jaquan Brisker: “Oh, my God, dangerous group. We call ourselves the Avengers. It’s definitely a great group, on and off the field. Last year, we were just getting comfortable. There were no touchdowns over our head. We were flying around. We got the chemistry, like we had chemistry that we played for 10 years. So just imagine it is gonna be like that next year too. So it’s gonna be great playing with Tyrique (Stevenson), Kyler (Gordon), KB (Byard), Jaylon (Johnson). It’s going to be amazing for us to bring it back again this year and show what we really could do.”

Q: The last three seasons haven’t been super fun from a team standpoint. Are you optimistic about the trajectory of the team? What is the key for the Bears to take the next step?

Jaquan Brisker: “I feel like we’re in a great spot. The key for us to take the next step is to put our head down every single day and just work. We already had that chemistry together. We’re very close. We trust each other. Now it’s just time to work, change the culture, drive the culture the way we want it. Do you everything the coach tells us do. Follow his philosophies. 

“We make great moves every year and now it’s time to get off the paper and get down to it. Because on paper you could say, this team could have gone 12-5. Oh, last year’s team could have went 11-6. During OTAs, we have to put our heads down. We have to do everything right. Not say too much. Because every year it feels great, but we need to work.”

Q: Is it almost like a no excuses thing at this point? Like, okay, we might have said it the past couple years and it didn’t turn out. We need to do this.

Jaquan Brisker: “It’s a very important year for the whole team. I feel like we have so much to prove, to the league, to ourselves. We feel like these last two years should have been playoff teams, easily playoff teams, and they haven’t. And we got to continue to find out that answer. We know what we’ve got to do, and that’s really to change our culture. We need a different culture. We’ve got the people, but we’ve got to put it together. Offense, defense, special teams, coaching staff, upstairs. It could be dangerous.

“Coach Ben, he’s the right coach, and we’re in the right situation. So I feel like there’s a lot of things that are going to turn, but it’s gonna come with hard work. It’s not gonna be easy.”

Q: I wanted to ask you about Tyler Warren, who’s potentially a top-10 pick. You overlapped with him a couple years at Penn State. Do you remember him?

Jaquan Brisker: “For sure. He was already showing potential. I mean, obviously I was locking him up, but you could definitely tell in practices, running routes, blocking. My last year he was the Wildcat quarterback for us. He used to play quarterback in high school. So he used to be diving over the piles. We gave him a couple jump balls (in games). I thought he should have got the ball a lot more, but, yeah, I think he’s amazing.

“I feel like he’s gonna be a top-five, top-10 pick. Like I said on Twitter not too long ago, him and (Cole) Kmet would be crazy. I love Tyler. He’s capable of a lot of things. And we all knew that. If you didn’t know that, then you weren’t paying attention. He’s a great player.”

Q:  Would you match up with him a decent amount in practice?

Jaquan Brisker: “We were doing one on ones so there was plenty of time with him, blocking instruction. He wasn’t on the scout team, but we played ones against ones, ones against twos. We got to see each other plenty of times. And then Coach Franklin used to throw us in the fire. You know, Tyler Warren versus Brisker.

Q: You guys have pick number 10 overall?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yep.”

Q: OK, so that could happen. I mean, it’s not unrealistic, if he’s still there.

Jaquan Brisker: “It’s definitely not unrealistic, especially with Coach’s scheme. He likes two tight ends. The Rob Gronkowski pairing, or whoever you want to name, it would be that type of duo.”

Q: I read a bit about your friendship with Miles Sanders, who is from your same area in Pittsburgh. Have you spoken with him this offseason? It feels like Dallas is a pretty good opportunity as far as playing time, being in an offense with some playmakers. Can he bounce back?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yeah, I talk to him here and there. We have little conversations sometimes. And really, I think for him, it’s gonna be a great fit in Dallas, especially, like you said, they have playmakers everywhere. They have a great line to where he’s gonna be able to run the ball and do what he wants to do. I feel like he fits their scheme. Miles is a very balanced runner, but he can run routes, and then he’ll block on third down. So I feel like he’s an amazing football player, and I feel like Dallas is going to use his talent to his abilities, which is good. So I feel like he’s in a great spot. I feel like he could become the starter too. He has that type of potential to start. He’s very smooth. It felt like it was the right opportunity. He’s gonna be in great hands. So I felt he made the right decision to go to Dallas.”

Q:  You’re never shy to speak your mind on social, and when CeeDee Lamb was talking down about the 2024 Bears, you were quick to back up your team.

Jaquan Brisker: “For sure. I’m always going to back up my team.”

Q: Have you talked to CeeDee personally since then?

Jaquan Brisker: “No, definitely not personally. Nope.”

Q: Are you looking forward to that game? You think it’ll add a little bit of motivation on each side?

Jaquan Brisker: “I feel like he just added more motivation to it. He kind of made it worse. I’m already motivated, not because of him, but because of last year, what it could have been. But obviously he added more fuel to fire. When the game comes, I’m going to remember everything he said. People don’t know me, but when people talk smack about my team or myself, it definitely turns me up, man. I look forward to seeing him. I’m not going to say too much, but everybody knows what I like doing on the field. Eventually we’re going to see each other.”

Q: Yep, for sure. Switching gears here. Were you a Steelers fan growing up in Pittsburgh?

Jaquan Brisker: “No, I was a Patriots fan. I was a Tom Brady fan. Tom was my favorite player. Corey Dillon, players like that. Rodney Harrison, Tedy Bruschi, Mike Vrabel, , Richard Seymour, Ty Law, Darrelle Revis, Asante Samuel, people like that. Gronk eventually, like, there’s so many players, but really, Tom Brady was my favorite quarterback. 

“I was interested in the Steelers, though. I wasn’t a Steelers fan, but I love Mike Tomlin, especially. He was a mentor to me growing up. We had a lot of great conversations. So I’m definitely a Mike Tomlin fan.”

Q: Was this back in high school when you met in?

Jaquan Brisker: “This was back in fifth grade, sixth grade camps. Winning championships at his camps. Then going to the stadium and meeting with him, talking to him, working out around the facility. I talked to him before the draft. They were trying to get me, they told me. We always had a great connection. I love Mike T, for sure.”

Q: How did it go over when you wore Patriots gear at school in Pittsburgh?

Jaquan Brisker: “People used to be hating. They were mad. The Steelers were good, but the Patriots were just so dominant. People hated Tom Brady. You know how it is. When people win that much, people hate. They wanted to see him lose so bad. Everybody’s like, ‘Why aren’t you a Steelers fan? You live in Pittsburgh.’ But my family on my dad’s side didn’t like the Steelers, and it kind of rubbed off on me.”

Q: Do you go back to Pittsburgh some in the offseason?

Jaquan Brisker: “Yes, I go back in the summer to work out. I used to work out with Aaron Donald all the time, but obviously he’s retired, so now I just work out by myself or with Miles (Sanders), Damar Hamlin, Dane Jackson, Kenny Robinson, Khaleke Hudson, Joey Porter.”

Q: Are you a fan of the game to point where you’re interested if Aaron Rodgers is going to go to the Steelers? Do you focus on some of the big stuff going on in the NFL? 

Jaquan Brisker: “Yes, I’m definitely a fan. I’m a fan of football. Always been a fan. I don’t know what the Steelers are going to do. Probably sign Aaron Rodgers. If not, I feel like they’re going to draft the quarterback – or get Aaron and draft the quarterback anyway. I don’t know what’s gonna happen. They don’t have a quarterback right now, so I know something has to happen.”

Q: Looking at the Bears’ season, you guys lost five games by a field goal or less, which is probably frustrating. You guys do all this game planning, all this training, and then you can kick a field goal at the end of a game, and it misses by six inches. Is there a decent amount of luck involved?

Jaquan Brisker: “I wouldn’t say luck. I’ll say a lot of things could change the game. No, whether that’s turnovers, certain calls being made by the refs, scheme, whatever it may be. It’s crazy because it’s not luck, but it just really how the game goes in the NFL. You see it all the time. It might be close, and then there might be a fumble. It might be close, might be a missed field goal. Might be close, it might be a block field goal, an interception, a great play. So no, I’ll just say it comes with that. It doesn’t come with luck. Nah. You can’t be lucky.”

Q: So it’s more about the game-changing plays, but you think preparation is a bigger part of that than luck.

Jaquan Brisker: “Preparation, scheme. All of that matters, from the walkthroughs to practice to the game. Because that little detail could be a touchdown. All of that is important, and you have to go play regardless of what they’re going to call. You’ve got to maximize it and try to win.”

Q: You played with Justin Fields for a couple of years, and now he’s headed to the Jets. How do you think he’s going to perform there?

Jaquan Brisker: “He’s gonna be a great player. That’s Houdini, man. He’s gonna make things happen. He’s in a great spot.  Get him a couple weapons, an O-line. I feel like he’s gonna be great. I always thought he was great, and he’s an amazing quarterback off the field, which is important. He talks to everyone. He’s a great guy. I feel like the Jets was a perfect fit for him.”

The post Jaquan Brisker Talks Ben Johnson, Caleb Williams, Tyler Warren and Luck In Football appeared first on CasinoBeats.

The Bears’ fourth-year safety became a Day 1 starter as a second-round pick in 2022 and has looked like a burgeoning star in Chicago — but he’s also been dogged by concussions every season as a professional.

Last year was the most alarming of them all, as Brisker suffered a concussion against the Panthers in Week 5 and didn’t play again the rest of the year, leaving many to wonder if he can be counted on moving forward.

But in a 45-minute sitdown late last week, Brisker spoke about his situation exactly the way he plays: all confidence, no fear. 

To him, the 2025 season is not a crossroads, but an on-ramp to stardom.

“I can’t wait to show the world what’s coming,” Brisker told Casino Beats in his first extensive interview since the injury. “Everybody’s writing me off right now, but that’s when I’m at my best.”

Brisker acknowledges how surprised he was by the length of last year’s absence. Like in previous seasons, Brisker thought the concussion would sideline him a game or two. 

He was injured after forcing a fumble on Carolina tight end Tommy Tremble with about three minutes remaining in the first half. 

Tremble was fined for lowering his helmet on the play, but Brisker didn’t think the collision was a big deal in the moment.

“I hit him with my shoulder, and his helmet hit my neck just in the right spot,” Brisker said. “So that probably got it. I was thinking nothing of it, and I played a little bit (more) in the game, which I probably shouldn’t have. I think it lingered because (I stayed) in the game. I probably made it worse by hitting people.”

Brisker said this type of concussion was different. Week after week, he hoped to return, but could not pass the protocol.

“There are like five different types of concussions, and I had a certain concussion,” Brisker said. “Really, I had to retrain my nervous system. That is why I took so long. It wasn’t my brain, it wasn’t my head. It was really my nervous system, and once I retrained that, I felt great.”

Brisker: My Brain Is Healthy, Career Not In Peril

Brisker doesn’t downplay the seriousness of concussions, noting their potential effects not only for his NFL career, but also in his 50s and 60s.

However, constant communication with doctors has him feeling optimistic about the short- and long-term prognosis.

“It really doesn’t concern me at all, especially talking with my doctors,” Brisker said. “Asking different questions, seeing how healthy my brain is. Everything went well. I got every answer that I needed. 

“There’s not a number on concussions. It doesn’t say if you get five (your career is over). I know people who probably had, what, six, seven concussions right now in the league that are playing and and got paid. So there’s not a number on the concussion. It’s just how you feel, where your brain health is, and I’m in a great spot.”

Brisker says he finally cleared concussion protocol near the end of the season. He technically could have been brought back off injured reserve, but the Bears were out of the playoff picture at that point.

He will make his long-awaited return to team activities when the Bears reconvene for offseason workouts on April 7. Brisker, who has been working out for months, says he is completely healthy and fully motivated.

Brisker: I’m An All-Pro When Healthy

What can he be if the stars align and Brisker stays on the field for all 17 games? He doesn’t hesitate.

“All-Pro and Pro Bowl, period,” Brisker said. “First team, easy. My rookie year, I think I could have gotten Rookie of the Year. I was ballin’, then got a concussion. Second year, I was on the rise, about to take over, concussion. This year I already had All-Pro numbers. The only person who had better numbers than me — and it was just the interceptions — was Xavier McKinney. Everything else, I was leading in every category. Ball was coming to me and it was getting dangerous. 

“Every single year, I was going like that, and then something happened. But we fixed that this year. It won’t happen in the future. So to me, to everyone — the coaches around the league are always giving me great dialogue — as long as I stay healthy, it’s going to be All-Pro.”

Brisker said he is doing preventative work to lower the chances of another brain injury, and also plans to change his play-style in 2025.

“What am I going to do different?” Brisker said. “I’m gonna change up my game just a little bit. I mean, I’m still gonna hit people. They’re still gonna get it, but I’m not gonna go too crazy. Yeah, I’ll say it like that. I’m gonna adjust my game, but if you really look at my game, that was like the only hit I ever had that gave me a concussion. So I’m gonna play cleaner, but people are still gonna get hit.”

Brisker is one of the more versatile safeties in the NFL. He had 104 tackles and four sacks in 15 games as a rookie, and then 105 tackles, two forced fumbles and nine passes defensed in 15 games in 2023.

Brisker had 40 tackles, three tackles for loss, a sack, an interception and a forced fumble in five games last year before the concussion.

Brisker: No Contract Extension Talks With Chicago

He is heading into a contract year, but said neither he nor the Bears have broached an extension, which makes sense. 

It would be hard for the team to take a risk on a player coming off a serious head injury; on the flip-side, by betting on himself, Brisker, still just 25 years old, can make himself a bunch of money with similar production and no missed games in 2025.

“We’re both not really focused on that,” Brisker said. “We’re focused on this year, finishing out this year, and showing what I can really do. Last year I knew, once my season was over, that it’s gonna focus on this year. Not the (potential) money, but just focus on finishing the year. 

“When I finish this year — you guys will see. It’s gonna be something you guys have never seen before, especially from a safety. It was getting like that. I was on a roll with having one of the seasons they’ve never seen before. People know that. People know the path. It’s going to get ugly for the league.”

Time will tell if Brisker can avoid more concussions, but his state of mind is readily apparent.

“I’m not going in worried about getting a head injury,” Brisker said. “I definitely believe in my team, believe in the doctors. They’ve had players all over, regular people who are able to be themselves. I’m excited for this new journey. I’ve been working on improving my brain.

“I’m not worried about getting hit. I’m not worried about concussions. I’m going to be so far clear of that. I’m going to be healthy.”

The post Jaquan Brisker Exclusive: I’ll Adjust My Style, But Concussion History ‘Doesn’t Concern Me’ appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Josh Gordon has joined the ranks of retired NFL players, and we delved deep into the emotions associated with that in this feature story on Wednesday.

While Gordon will forever be known for his untapped potential on the field, it’s clear he’s still a big fan of football. Gordon said he loves to watch Red Zone and has dubbed himself a ‘couch coach’ as he breaks down players. 

We chatted about the Browns, Drake Maye, playing with Mahomes and Brady, George Pickens and more in this exclusive Q&A.

Q: Are there certain receivers you really enjoy watching?

Josh Gordon: “I was really happy to see Mike Evans do his thing this past season, another Texas guy. Tee Higgins. Jerry Jeudy’s performance. Courtland Sutton. Brandin Cooks had an amazing season. Terry McLaurin, I’m hoping he has like a 1,300-yard season coming up to really put a stamp on his stardom. Khalil Shakir, Buffalo’s guy. I want them to find a way to get the ball in his hands a little bit more. He’s fast as hell. So quick.”

Q: Does any wideout remind you of your own game?

Josh Gordon: “Of my game specifically? I like George Pickens. He’s one of those guys that is 6-2, 6-3, big playmaker capability. I’d love to see him make a huge splash (in 2025), like a 1,400-yard season. He’s a dominant-level guy. It should be child’s play in the secondary after awhile against some of these teams. There’s no way they should be able to play zone defense and stop you. There’s no way. But George Pickens and Tee Higgins, I think maybe they emulate my game, or I see my game in them to some degree.”

Q: People have questioned Pickens’ effort at times. That comes from the outside, so it’s tough to know exactly what’s going on, but do you have advice for someone like that who has the talent to be a superstar?

Josh Gordon: “The off-the-field stuff, I can’t touch on it too much because it’s personal, right? I can’t say if he’s dealing with anything, but if someone says it then it becomes a thing, and it becomes reality: oh, he’s a bad-effort guy. 

“Maybe he is just tired, but that’s a part of professionalism. If you’re the No. 1 guy, you have to always be in the game, and there’s never an off switch with you. We don’t want to see you bitch and moan. We want to see you go 110% because that’s what you’re here to do. If that’s the demand, and if he’s ready for that, then the rest should take care of itself. He’ll make that decision and you’ll see a different player. Mentally, he’ll be locked in. Because talent isn’t the issue.”

Q: You played with Myles Garrett, who is now looking to leave Cleveland to improve his chances of a Super Bowl. What do you make of that potential breakup?

Josh Gordon: “I know it’s got to be heartbreaking for him. Everybody’s got their reasons personally or professionally, so it’s hard for me to even touch on those topics. I wish him the best and I wish it could have worked out. I think it did, really. I really do think it did. Cleveland got a great, great player and he gave it his all. I hope that everything works out for him in the end, and from the Browns’ standpoint. But you know, maybe the Browns will be able to draft somebody coming up here soon, so we’ll see.”

Q: True, Abdul Carter could be there, though people are saying that he might go number one. As for the quarterback, when you look at Cleveland, do you think they should draft one of those young guys? Would you look at the veteran market? 

Josh Gordon: “Man, that’s tough. I like Abdul Carter. He’s as dynamic of a player as there is in this draft. If not, if he goes one, it might be Cam Ward. Or they might go with a playmaker in Travis Hunter and really just go for the splash player and then build around that. That might be enough, and then working the free agency pool to strengthen the roster, make some trades. 

“It’s tough because the draft can be the luck of the draw. Cleveland has been up in the top-5 of the draft for awhile now. They’re due. This might be the pick that does it for them. Maybe Cam Ward or Travis Hunter.”

Q: Travis, I think will, want to play corner and wideout as much as possible. Obviously you know how intricate it is to play wide receiver in the NFL. How tough would it be to play both at a high level? Is it realistic?

Josh Gordon: “I’m not sure how realistic it really is, at this level, to do both. It was astonishing just to watch him do it at the D-I level in my old division, the Big 12. I was thinking, alright, well, if he stays away from the ball, but no, he’s around the ball, he’s making breakup plays and I’m like, ‘Man, this kid is insane.’ So, I would make a package for him and see how it goes, and probably start him at DB. Because if you’re a number one receiver, you’re the guy, and you’re not coming out the game. But he’s that special guy that they’ll add packages, similar to what Andy Reid does in Kansas City with Xavier Worthy, put him at a utility position and find out what he could do.”

Q: So do you watch the Browns a decent amount? 

Josh Gordon: “With the local (Texas) games it’s tough, but whatever’s on Red Zone, I’m definitely watching. I watched quite a few of them last year and I try to watch all of them.”

Q: What are your thoughts on their receivers? Like we talked about, if they do draft Travis Hunter, it adds to it, but do you like the group?

Josh Gordon: “I’m really happy for the way Jerry Jeudy came on after getting traded. We’ve got to hang onto him (long-term) and see how that develops. It seems like he’s in a good headspace. He’s letting it all go, and he showed out in Cleveland, so that’s good to see. 

“And Elijah Moore, he made a lot of big-time catches, clutch third downs out of the slot. And a guy like Travis Hunter would add some variety to it, give the quarterback more choices, when we figure out which quarterback is going to be back there. And David Njoku helps the rest of the guys get open. It’s a deep threat team. It really is. It’s built to go vertical, built for speed. They’re just a couple guys away.”

Q: I wanted to chat a bit about New England, and I was wondering, when you went there, did it feel like a markedly different organization compared to the other stops with the way Belichick ran things?

Josh Gordon: “The New England Patriots definitely have their own unique environment to them. Before even getting there, I knew about them and I hadn’t even been there. It’s top to bottom, from the administration on down, to the cleaning crew, to the the janitors, the field staff. Everybody is kind of — I wouldn’t say necessarily no-nonsense, because you’re gonna have fun, but we had fun by winning. So if you if we’re not aiming on a path for a goal of winning, we’re not having fun, and that’s just that’s another growth process and a professionalism I had to figure out and grow through and understand. 

“There’s different ways to win, but it worked best by setting the goals high. I went from a 1-15 team to a team that won a Super Bowl, and multiple times at that, so it was night and day. It’s not for everybody, because a lot of coaches might not have that mentality or that type of outlook on the game, but the Belichick tree is so big now that I think the secret’s out. Everybody’s trying to reach a certain standard. The game has evolved and the attention to detail is there. and it speaks for itself really at this point. The culture is football first, it’s New England first, and it’s diehard. For football purists, it’s the best place to be for football.”

Q: I wanted to talk a little bit about Tom Brady and being around him daily like that. What stood out to you about the player he became, from sixth-round pick to probably the greatest player ever? 

Josh Gordon: “You see the sacrifices Tom made, and you’re like, man, the ego kind of goes out the window immediately and you just start hitting it. You go to work non-stop, and you see he’s there at like 4:30 am. It’s a ridiculous grind, but it works.He’s one of those guys that will run through a wall for you, and it reverberates throughout an entire locker room. He’s a special guy.”

Q: Looking at the Patriots present-day, Drake Maye is off to a nice start. If you can get a number one receiver for a young quarterback like that, like what does that mean for the offense?

Josh Gordon: “There’s nothing like having a number one wide receiver, the dynamic it brings to the team. If it’s a true number one guy, it draws so much so much of the defense his way, it opens up everything else for the system to do what it’s supposed to do. You gotta take account for or a number one wide receiver, and if Drake Maye has that — he’s incredibly talented. I’ve been watching since his days in North Carolina. I messaged him, actually, a couple times before he got drafted. I let him know that I was a fan. 

“I think for New England, free agency might be a big one this year for a wide receiver. If they were to go after a guy like Tee Higgins, I think that would be huge. If they could find a way to lay out the red carpet — that’s not a team that will usually do that for a receiver — but I think they might be ready to make a different transition. They got the quarterback, so now they’re just a couple of X-factors away. It might be a free agency play. to see that they can find, see what they can get.”

Q: You mentioned sending Drake a message. Will you do that with players every once in awhile, or was there a special significance to why you messaged Drake?

Josh Gordon: “It was just on Instagram. You just see that follow back (icon), I was like, ‘Oh, I didn’t even know he followed me.’ 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.’ Drake Maye, they’ve got a gem over there. He’s going to do some special things for them.

“But, no, it’s just organic. Some of the guys like another football guy’s game, and that may have been it, man. He might have been a fan of me, and he probably didn’t know I was a fan of his as well. It’s like that for a couple of young guys. I’m like, ‘This guy’s a game changer, he’s got it. And I just like to wait and see and play that I-told-you-so game with myself, as a couch coach.”

Q: We talked about Tom Brady, and you played with Patrick Mahomes, too. I don’t know how many guys experienced playing with both in their primes like that. From a playing perspective, how do they compare to each other?

Josh Gordon: “They are two entirely different quarterbacks, from their deliveries to their thought process on the game. There’s two different ways of getting it done, and they both get it done tremendously well. Pat’s more of an innovator on the spur of the moment. And then Tom’s more of a repetition guy. He could throw it blindly because it’s been there and he’s seen it so many times. It’s like clockwork. 

“It’s two different varieties. It’s tough to compare them. They’re both a level of elite that’s almost uncomparable. Only to each other, basically. I’ve never seen anything like it. I’ve played a lot of football with many quarterbacks, and those are two special guys.

“The arm velocity from Pat is unworldly and then, the timing, the precision, the accuracy of Tom — from a receiver standpoint, you can’t even outrun him because the ball is already in the air. You gotta find it. You gotta look up and find it.  Don’t be a robot, just be where you’re supposed to be and he makes the job easy. I could write a book with all the details on their differences if you really wanted to break it down. It’s an apple and orange conversation right there, but they’re both great fruit.”

Q:  You mentioned Xavier Worthy earlier. DeAndre Hopkins and Travis Kelce are nearing the end of their careers. How important do you think it will be to have Worthy, Rashee Rice, those young guys step up as it’s transitioning offensively for Mahomes?

Josh Gordon: “Yeah, I believe they’re going to have to. Xavier, they’re putting him everywhere and they’re doing exactly what they’re supposed to do with him. They utilize him as often as possible in the biggest moments of the game. He’s one of those guys that the defense is gonna have to key in on and at the point in the season, they’re going to have to develop somebody else. I’m not sure for how long Travis and D-Hop are going to be able to muster that same level of performance.

“(Chiefs GM) Brett Veach, you’ve got to have faith in Brett, and I know they do. Veach is going to find the right guys through this draft and the next few drafts to find more guys like Xavier. It’s really going to be interesting to see the type of offense — if they go with their traditional system, more of a spread the ball out laterally as opposed to vertically without Travis in the middle posting up and making that an option. They’re probably gonna have to go big in free agency, with a true number one wide receiver or a very good number two guy that they like. They’re gonna have to figure out how to speed up the outside perimeter of the field.”

Q: You played with Robert Griffin III for a year at Baylor and then got suspended in 2011 and transferred to Utah. What would it have been like to play together the year he won the Heisman?

Josh Gordon: “It’s definitely another one of those what-if scenarios I wish would have worked out. We talked about it all the time. He would have won the Heisman even by a longer shot. Let’s just say that. He was a shoo-in already, but we would have had a great time playing and trying to win the Big 12 Championship, and just putting Baylor on the map. 

“Those were good days, really good days. And he’s still doing great things in the community, football on TV. He’s all over the place. Griff is a really good guy. I miss those days.”

Q: Do you keep up with the program? It seems to be on a bit of an upswing right now.

Josh Gordon: “I definitely do. It was tough to look at during some of those down seasons, but we’re bouncing back. The portal and NIL has made it different for everyone. It’s competitive as ever, and guys are seeing Baylor as a launching pad, a springboard, to the next level. They’re taking advantage of it, and that’s good for us, as long as they stay long enough to get the job done. 

“They’ve got a d-lineman at the combine right now and a couple other guys. The talent in football was not always there, definitely not always there, but it’s good to see it be more consistent. Guys want to go there and guys want to transfer there. It’s good to know we’ve got the money to do it. We can stay in the mix.”

Q: There is such a recruiting element now, whether it’s high school or the transfer portal. Could you see yourself helping the program out? Obviously you are one of the more talented guys that’s come through there.

Josh Gordon: “I think so. I believe at a point in time that’s where I’ll be headed. Whether it’s at Baylor — I’d love for it to be a Baylor, obviously — I think I’ll have to put my foot in the water at the college level at some point and see what I could offer their players. I know I have, obviously, a depth of knowledge to offer at an elite level, to really kind of increase the pace of play, the variety of play and the skill level for a group of wide receivers. 

“Depending on the situation, yeah, I think it might be something that would be good for me to do. I’d look forward to it. I really think it’s something I’d excel at. It’s just a matter of timing, when I’m ready to stop watching TV and put playbooks and lessons together. I’d have to really lock in and hone in on that craft, because coaching is a different game. You can say goodbye to your personal life. So I think it may be an option for me here in the future.”

The post Josh Gordon Talks George Pickens, Drake Maye, Browns and More appeared first on CasinoBeats.

Josh Gordon was right there with you.

He wanted the yards, the touchdowns, the Pro Bowls, the championships, the big-money contract, the satisfaction of turning his prodigious football talent into a legendary Hall of Fame career.

None of it happened, of course.

Substance abuse issues derailed the wide receiver’s path, and a decade’s worth of tantalizing potential came to an end last September when Gordon officially retired from professional football.

It led to a final ‘what-if’ rumination from the NFL world, as no one could ever shake Gordon’s now-infamous 87-catch, 1,646-yard, nine-touchdown season in 2013 at the tender age of 22.

In total, Gordon was suspended seven times for issues related to substance abuse, missing two full seasons and parts of five others.

He’s as frustrated as anyone with how his football career turned out — but he’s also happy it’s over. While the chance at redemption is gone, so is the pressure.

“We know it and I know it — there was a lot of money left on the table, a lot of opportunity left on the table,” Gordon told Casino Beats in an exclusive interview. “Championships. I could still be playing, you know? But you learn to live with it, man. You learn to look for new opportunities and new growth into the new you. Personal development. 

“It’s good to say that actively playing football is behind me. 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 can’t go back in time, and so he’s choosing to look on the bright side, rather than let the disappointment eat him alive.

“I have to,” Gordon said. “It’s the reality I’ve been confronted with. It wouldn’t do any good for myself or anyone else if I was doing that non-stop, profusely ruminating on all those thoughts. 

“There’s no way I could go on and have life exist for me happily. I definitely could have given better effort, and I hope in the future that I continue to give more of myself in ways in which I could have in the past. That’s kind of where I’m with it now.

“Hall of Fame, having it all, that was the goal. That was the intention. But life deters it, things derail it and you bounce back as best as you can. And I think I have.”

Gordon: Retirement Has Allowed Me To Prioritize Relationships

Gordon is speaking on a videochat from his home in Texas, wearing a hoodie and a black hat with ‘East River’ emblazoned on the front. He logs on for the interview 19 minutes early and doesn’t sidestep a question.

He talks excitedly about his post-playing routine, which includes more time for family, for friends Gordon hasn’t seen in years, for time on the golf course.

“I’m not hitting it great, but I’m breaking 100, sometimes 90,” Gordon said. “It’s good to get out, be in the sun, stay active, and be around people I enjoy most, good friends. I haven’t seen them in years, and it’s nice to be able to touch base with some loved ones, really just spend time and show care.”

Gordon is content being away from the game for now, but thinks football will eventually draw him back in.

He lights up when talking about the current batch of receivers in the NFL, sharing tidbits and calling himself a ‘couch coach.’

“Khalil Shakir, Buffalo’s guy — I want them to find a way to get the ball in his hands a little bit more,” Gordon said. “He’s fast as hell, man. So quick.”

Gordon: I Want To Share My Story As A Cautionary Tale

Gordon talks about the time commitment it takes to become a coach, and seems reluctant to dive into something like that right now.

One thing he’s ready to do: share his story as a cautionary tale.

“I have a responsibility, if anything, to make sure I pay it forward and pass down whatever knowledge that may be able to help the next generation, the next youth, overcome,” Gordon said. “I know it might help somebody else along the way that might be going through whatever I experienced. And that’s exactly what I’m here to do.

“I’d like to be an insight, a beacon to other individuals, like Cris Carter and like so many other NBA and NFL advocates on a wide variety of issues that might be plaguing people.”

Gordon does not sound bitter and does not blame others for his predicament. He did make it to the NFL after all. As a youth, he never expected to live past 18.

“It’s a lot more good than bad that I experienced, and I’m grateful for all of it,” Gordon said. “I wish I would have done better. It’s one of those situations in life where I have to look back and I have to grow from it. As you get older, you mature. I was blessed to play in Cleveland and everywhere, experience the NFL at the highest level. I don’t take it lightly. At this point in life, it’s nice to see I had any impact on the game at all, really.”

Gordon says a combination of “those micro and those macro interactions” have helped him think back positively on his NFL experience.

“I’ve been on vacation on numerous occasions and met people outside the country that may have known my face or my name or something like that,” Gordon said. “I’ve seen my jersey somewhere I didn’t expect to see it, like at a grocery store well after my playing days, even recently.

“It lives with you and it’s a part of you. I have to take a certain amount of pride with it and see the happiness with the Browns organization, the Patriots organization, all these other experiences. I played with some great players that are part of this history. I want to walk with a sense of pride about it, along with humility and grace. Take the good that comes from it. It’s a blessing to see how my life played out through the lens of football.”

Gordon: A Browns Reunion Would Be Extremely Meaningful

Gordon is most well-known for his time with the Browns, and hopes he can have a relationship with the organization in the future.

Gordon played five seasons there, including a promising rookie season and that dominant second year, when he led the league in receiving yards despite missing two games for violating the NFL’s substance abuse policy.

That short suspension was a harbinger of things to come, as Gordon missed all of 2015 and 2016 with substance abuse issues. The Browns eventually traded him to the Patriots in 2018.

Gordon said he would love to be reunited in any fashion with the Browns.

“The Browns, that’s who drafted me and who I’m appreciative the most to,” Gordon said. “They gave me the opportunity to play. However they deem it, if the opportunity presents itself, maybe I’ll be able to walk through that door and lend some advice, some help, some support, whatever it is. Or just say what’s up in the community. It doesn’t have to be anything crazy.”

Gordon: ‘I’m Happy’ Closing Football-Playing Chapter

Gordon didn’t retire on his terms, and mentioned a couple times that he thinks he’s still good enough to be in the NFL.

But after bouncing around in the league from 2019 to 2022 and playing for the Seattle Sea Dragons of the XFL in 2023, the writing was on the wall.

“Physically, I feel like, man, even now I feel like I could still do it,” said Gordon, 33. “And that (mentality) may not change for a while, whether it’s true or not. That’s just me being biased and my competitive nature of being an athlete. You want to go out there and do it so bad.

“Physically, it does take its toll. It’s tiresome, it’s long, it’s grueling, it’s nonstop. I didn’t see myself at the output I once was, and after so many different teams, it’s hard to find that rhythm and that utility, whether a team wants you or needs you, sees you in that same way. It’s hard to fit yourself into situations that aren’t as organic, so sometimes it just plays itself out after awhile.”

While many athletes dip into a depression after their playing days, maybe this is where Gordon has an advantage.

Self-sabotage ripped the game from him multiple times in the past, and Gordon will forever be known for his untapped potential.

But he’s not worried about ‘what-if’ anymore. He’s focused on: what’s next?

“It feels liberating to have that chapter of my life end and come to a close,” Gordon said. “It was bittersweet, but that was just the reality of it. You feel young forever. You feel like it’s going to last forever. It’s a grueling process you go through, and then it’s just over. You look back like, ‘Where am I supposed to go from here? They didn’t train you for that part of life.

“It’s a tall task, but I’m excited for it. It poses a new obstacle, but a new outlook on life. It’s something I’ve been looking to embrace, as far as personal development in what I’ve been lacking, and making time for it. Now I have time. Spending time with my family has been a huge blessing and help for me. (Playing football) is a chapter I’m happy to have ended, actually, to find the next thing for me to do.”

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