The last few years of Josh Gordon’s career have been a roller coaster, overcoming many of his off-field struggles to settle in to what seemed to be a secure position with the New England Patriots. Gordon signed with the Pats last year and had been active in their first six games this season before being sidelined with a left knee injury.
From there, the Pats placed the wideout on injured reserve and then surprisingly cut Gordon last week. However, Gordon wouldn’t even make it through waivers before he was claimed. According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, Gordon has been claimed by the Seattle Seahawks. The Hawks were reportedly the only team to submit a claim for his services.
The #Seahawks have claimed former #Patriots WR Josh Gordon, source said. QB Russell Wilson gets his wish.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 1, 2019
A follow-up from yesterday: The #Seahawks were the only team to put in a claim for former #Patriots WR Josh Gordon. He landed at No. 28 on the waiver priority list.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) November 2, 2019
Once one of the most talented receivers in the NFL, Josh Gordon will never quite be what he could’ve been. When he was at his peak with the Browns, Gordon battled substance abuse issues which cost him nearly two seasons of his prime.
Now that he’s been rewarded a second chance over the past year, his production hasn’t been the same as it once was. Gordon is still a dynamic downfield threat and a starting-caliber receiver, but maybe not the unstoppable physical specimen he once was in Cleveland.
Gordon’s numbers early this season were pedestrian, though he did reel in a touchdown and accrue more than 45 yards in four of his six starts. The Pats have always been a team to spread the ball around so perhaps Gordon will be more involved in Seattle.
The Seahawks have quietly been one of the most dangerous teams in the NFC early on behind the MVP-caliber play of Russell Wilson. Seattle could certainly use a dependable receiver to complement the deep-play ability of Tyler Lockett and rookie DK Metcalf after Doug Baldwin retired this offseason.
Expect Gordon to come in and immediately fill that role as one of Wilson’s more consistent pass-catchers at the intermediate level. With Baldwin out of the picture and tight end Will Dissly sidelined for the season, Gordon should get plenty of looks in Seattle’s offense moving forward.
