According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the Kansas City Chiefs will release wide receiver Josh Gordon as they trim their roster down to the 53-player maximum.
A former second-round pick, Gordon suited up for the Chiefs for 15 games in 2021. He recorded five receptions for 32 yards and one touchdown in these contests, his first NFL season since 2019.
Per Pelissero, Gordon has demonstrated high character in both the community and on the field while with Kansas City. The Chiefs are reportedly open to Gordon, now 31-years-old, returning to the team.
However, despite trading offensive weapon Tyreek Hill to the Miami Dolphins in March, the Chiefs have a number of weapons that are higher priorities than Gordon. Their receiving corps not only includes star tight end Travis Kelce but two former second-round picks in wide receivers Mecole Hardman and JuJu Smith-Schuster and 2022 second-round pick Skyy Moore.
Gordon was reinstated by the NFL in 2021 after being suspended for violating the league’s performance-enhancing drug and substance abuse policy for the fifth time in 2019. In the 2019 season, Gordon played six games for the New England Patriots and five games for the Seattle Seahawks, recording 27 receptions for 426 yards and one touchdown. Though his performance didn’t live up to his time with the Cleveland Browns, Gordon tallied 1,007 total yards and four touchdowns with the Patriots in the 17 total games he played for them.
Following news of his release, Gordon took to social media to address the Chiefs and their fans:
“Thanks for the opportunity and the many memories,” Gordon wrote.
While it’s uncertain where Gordon will play next, it would be unsurprising to see him latch onto another playoff contender looking for a veteran wide receiver down the line. Especially as the season wears on, becoming a war of attrition, and teams began looking for players who are healthy and fresh.