If Josh Gordon plays in 2019, it will be for the New England Patriots. On Tuesday, Gordon officially signed his restricted free agent tender that the franchise placed on him for next season, as reported by Field Yates of ESPN.

Essentially, what the Patriots did with that restricted free agent tender is secure themselves in the event that another team wanted to snatch up Gordon in free agency this offseason. With that tender the Patriots would have received draft pick compensation in the form of a third rounder if Gordon signed elsewhere. Him signing that tender on Tuesday simply means that he's agreed to what is basically a one-year, $2.025 million deal for next season. There was little doubt that Gordon wouldn't sign this tender and have a prolonged contract dispute as he was seemingly overjoyed by it earlier this offseason when the club originally placed it on him.

Gordon first arrived to the Patriots in the midst of last year in a trade with the Browns and quickly built up a strong rapport with Tom Brady. In 11 games played, Gordon tallied 68 catches for 720 yards and three touchdowns.

Towards the tail end of last season, however, Gordon was suspended indefinitely by the league for violating the NFL's substance abuse policy. He missed all of the postseason and his future in the league is still under some question. As for reinstatement, Gordon and the NFLPA are reportedly set to begin laying that groundwork for that process to begin starting in May. This all, of course, is predicated on Gordon sticking with his treatment plans and staying on the path to stable health.

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When asked about Gordon's status leading up to the Super Bowl, NFL commissioner Roger Goodell did leave the door open for reinstatement, but really is focused on his health.

"Directly I have not spoken to him since his last suspension," Goodell said at the time. "I do know he's in treatment. He's a young man who has had a lot of challenges. I have gotten to know him and understands his struggles and the challenges that he's had to go through and he's working at it. He understands what he has to do. He understand the importance for him -- And this is well beyond football. This is for his life. -- to make sure he takes care of himself and he understands the importance of getting this issue under control and being able to live a healthy and long life.