Oft suspended receiver Josh Gordon is in incredible shape, has impressed the Chiefs with his early showing and is expected to see plenty of the field in his 2021 debut Sunday night, league sources said.
Gordon's struggles with substance abuse have derailed his career repeatedly, and he last played for Seattle in 2019, prior to being suspended indefinitely for violating the NFL's substance abuse and PED policies. Gordon was first suspended by the NFL in June 2013 and has appeared in just 28 games since 2015, but he continued his recovery after his latest league discipline and impressed officials with the NFL and NFLPA with his tenacity to get another shot at reinstatement.
Gordon stayed in regular contact with league and union contacts to keep them apprised of what he was doing on and off the field to merit another shot to sign with an NFL team, and several clubs were monitoring the situation as well, league sources said, with Gordon's size, speed and previous All-Pro ability keeping at least some scouts interested.
Gordon chose the Chiefs among his other suitors for obvious reasons; they are looking for third prong in their passing game with defenses doing a better job of taking away Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce, and the chance to play with quarterback Patrick Mahomes and for coach Andy Reid is something any receiver would relish. Gordon realizes this is absolutely his last opportunity at showing he can stick in the NFL -- "Josh knows this is it; he's only getting one more shot and after that it's over," said one source close to the receiver. He has excelled quickly at practice at 6-foot-3, 230 pounds with just 7% body fat.
Reid is one of the most creative minds in football and has a history of helping troubled players find their way. However, Gordon's last stint in Seattle lasted only about a month. Gordon impressed the Chiefs with his attitude and plan for sticking with the structure and life plan that helped him earn this opportunity in the first place. If he can stick with that, the Chiefs believe he could be a valuable contributor as they try to stay atop the AFC.
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