Seven weeks into Josh Gordon’s New England Patriots tenure, the organization is still taking a very hands-on approach with the wide receiver.

Case in point: Gordon speaks to the media twice a week — once on Thursday or Friday and another directly after a game. Reporters are permitted to ask him anywhere from three to four questions during these sessions.

So, if you’re wondering why you keep reading the same stories from different outlets with quotes from Gordon, that’s why. Gordon spoke to reporters on Thursday this week. The first question was about the Tennessee Titans’ defense, the second was a follow-up on the Titans’ defense, the third was about his removal from the injury report, and the fourth was whether he’s practiced playing tight end.

You might have noticed everyone wrote about his answer to the third question. If the Patriots don’t loosen the reins on Gordon, then we, as reporters, might need to do a better job coordinating questions moving forward.

Let’s get into this week’s mailbag.

Do you see the Patriots signing Gordon long term after this season?

— @tmoney7297

Gordon is a restricted free agent after the season. Here’s what that means:

If the Patriots don’t sign Gordon to a long-term contract before free agency begins, then they can place a restricted free agent tender on him. There are three options for Gordon: A first-round tender, second-round tender or right of first refusal.

First-round tenders were valued at $4.149 million in 2018, and that likely will increase in 2019. Second-round tenders were valued at $2.914 million, and that also likely will increase in 2019. Low-level tenders were valued at $1.907 million, and guess what? That likely will increase in 2019, as well. If the Patriots don’t give Gordon a tender, then he would become an unrestricted free agent. The Patriots also could trade Gordon to another team, foregoing the restricted free agent process. That’s how the Miami Dolphins dealt Wes Welker to the Patriots.

If the Patriots give Gordon a first-round tender, then another team can sign him to an offer sheet, and that organization would have to give up a first-round pick to acquire him if New England chooses not to match that contract. Same goes for a second-round pick/tender. If the Patriots give him a right-of-first-refusal tender, then another team signing him to an offer sheet would have to give up no draft compensation if the Patriots choose not to match.

Giving Gordon a first-round tender makes the most sense for the Patriots. He’d be a bargain at less than $5 million in 2019. It seems likely another team would sign Gordon to an offer sheet, however. It’s almost impossible to predict what kind of offer Gordon would receive, though, given his history of unreliability. If it’s not overly restrictive, the Patriots would be smart to match it.

The Patriots are in a win-win situation, though. They’ll either retain Gordon for one season or multiple years, or they’ll receive a high draft pick for his services.

Of course, this is all assuming Gordon stays clean off the field for the next four months. What’s really incredible is that the Patriots only had to give up a fifth-round pick for Gordon and a seventh-round selection. One season of Gordon is worth much more than a fifth-round pick alone. Multiple seasons of Gordon for a fifth is a pilferage, and one season of Gordon, plus a first-round pick, for a fifth-round selection is grand theft.

josh gordon is off the injury list so what you think about that brother dougie

— @michaelis4real

I think it’s a really good sign, Michael. The Patriots determined Gordon’s hamstring injury is no longer limiting him in practice. We’ve already seen some tremendously high-upside moments from Gordon. He’s a big-play threat who can snag the ball out of the air in contested situations. If that hammy is now 100 percent, then he could start to play even better.

Gordon has been one of the better NFL stories of 2018.

How do you see us using our new signees? (Mclellan and Melifonwu)

— @Cheags21

Let’s start with Albert McClellan. I think he enters the fray as the Patriots’ No. 4 linebacker behind Dont’a Hightower, Kyle Van Noy and Elandon Roberts. That role has been filled by Nicholas Grigsby, who was thrust into defensive duty when Hightower and Roberts went down in Week 8. Ideally, the Patriots don’t want that. Grigsby is better on special teams than defense. McClellan would be a more reliable defender. He’s also a solid special teams player who should fill in for Geneo Grissom.

We’ll see on Melifonwu. He’s only played 34 NFL snaps so it could be a while before we (if we ever) see him in defensive duty. Melifonwu has great size at 6-foot-4, 224 pounds. He has the athleticism to play cornerback or safety, and his best matchup might be on athletic tight ends. But Melifonwu has to prove himself in practice before any of that becomes a realistic possibility. Let’s wait to see if he’s still on the roster by the playoffs before we talk about him covering Kansas City Chiefs tight end Travis Kelce in the AFC Championship Game, as some fans have broached.

#maildoug Has the D turned the corner, or was last week an aberration? Will be see Broadway Marcus Mariotta?

— @MrQuindazzi

It’s been an interesting season for the Patriots’ defense. They started strong, had some concerning performances but have turned the corner over the last few weeks.

It’s notable that while they rank 24th in total defense (yards per game) this season, they’re 11th in points allowed per game and 13th in Football Outsiders’ DVOA. They’re not sacking the quarterback as much as usual, but they are generating pressure and turnovers at a higher rate.

The Patriots’ defense has always done a good job of preventing the other team from scoring, even if it didn’t always “pass the eye test.” This year, they’re preventing points while also passing the eye test. We’ll see how long it lasts.

@DougKyed do you think Duke Dawson will be activated ??#MailDoug

— @Proudred_devil

Yes, and I’m actually pleasantly surprised they haven’t done it yet. The Patriots have promoted James Ferentz from the practice squad and signed McClellan, Melifonwu and offensive tackle Matt Tobin since Dawson was eligible to return. They’re taking swings at other positions and filling needs before activating Dawson. Cornerback isn’t currently a major need.

I still expect them to bring him off injured reserve before next week’s Nov. 14 deadline.

#MailDoug how does Jason McCourty’s coverage numbers this year compare to Butler’s numbers last year? What about the defense on a whole?

— @KenMcCartney

Here they are, via Pro Football Focus.

Jason McCourty, 2018: 29 catches on 51 targets, 418 yards, one touchdown, 90.2 passer rating, 6.5 cover snaps/target, 1.27 yards/cover snap, 11.3 cover snaps/reception

Malcolm Butler through nine games 2017: 33-53, 459 yards, four touchdowns, two interceptions, 99.5 passer rating, 6.6 cover snaps/target, 1.31 yards/cover snap, 10.6 cover snaps/reception

Malcolm Butler, 2017 total: 52-90, 698 yards, six touchdowns, two interceptions, 95.5 passer rating, 7.1 cover snaps/target, 1.09 yards/cover snap, 12.3 cover snaps/reception