Getty
When the Kansas City Chiefs released veteran wide receiver Josh Gordon during the preseason roster cutdowns, head coach Andy Reid didn’t rule out Gordon returning to the team in some fashion. But Gordon had other plans.
Gordon signed with the Tennessee Titans’ practice squad on September 1, making his stint in free agency just a day long. Terry McCormick of Titans Insider tweeted on September 5 that the Chiefs did offer to re-sign him to their practice squad, but he felt joining the Titans’ practice squad was a better opportunity.
Kansas City opted to fill out its 53-player roster with five receivers: JuJu Smith-Schuster, Mecole Hardman, Marquez Valdes-Scantling, rookie Skyy Moore and Justin Watson. They also re-signed Daurice Fountain to the practice squad.
With so much competition at the receiver position in Kansas City, there appeared to be little room for Gordon to sign to the practice and earn a promotion. That may be why he chose to join the Titans, who don’t have as much competition at receiver outside of veteran Robert Woods and rookie first-round pick Treylon Burks.
Gordon’s Stint in KC Lasts 1 Season
After being reinstated to the NFL in September 2021, Gordon signed to the Chiefs’ practice squad on September 27. A week later, Gordon found himself being promoted to the Chiefs’ 53-player roster, but his impact wasn’t significant during his first season in Kansas City.
In 12 regular season games played last season, Gordon, 31, caught five passes on 14 targets for 32 yards and one touchdown.
On January 24, the Chiefs waived Gordon but then re-signed him to a reserve/futures deal in February.
Following the news of his release, Gordon took to Twitter on August 30 to bid farewell to Chiefs Kingdom.
“Appreciate all the @Chiefs kingdom has done for me and my family this past year. Thanks for the opportunity and the many memories.”
Appreciate all the @Chiefs kingdom has done for me and my family this past year. Thanks for the opportunity and the many memories. 🙏🏾
Gordon also followed up that tweet by writing, “Excited to see where the next part of my football journey takes me.”
Excited to see where the next part of my football journey takes me 🏈 🤷🏾♂️🛫#itsabusiness #dreamchasing
Other Twitter users reacted to Gordon’s release.
“Hopefully they sign him back in the future,” one Twitter user wrote. “Even tho he didn’t have many big plays and or “huge” stat numbers he did come in clutch when we needed him.”
@TomPelissero @ArrowheadPride Hopefully they sign him back in the future. Even tho he didn’t have many big plays and or “huge” stat numbers he did come in clutch when we needed him.
“Shame it didn’t work out, hope he sticks on somewhere else or that he can land on our practice squad,” another user wrote.
@TomPelissero shame it didn’t work out, hope he sticks on somewhere else or that he can land on our practice squad
“Yeah, Justin Watson and Fountain took that WR5 and 6 spot. Just no room for Josh Gordon, hopefully he get another shot and balls out,” another user wrote.
@TomPelissero Yeah, Justin Watson and Fountain took that WR5 and 6 spot. Just no room for Josh Gordon, hopefully he get another shot and balls out 🙏
“Picture of class in New England and Seattle after that, problem is he isn’t fast enough anymore but teams sign him & whip their fans into a frenzy like they got jacked Jerry Rice. 2012 was 10 years ago & Josh, bless his heart missed about 5 of them,” another user wrote.
“Literally the biggest waste of talent in recent memory. Blame him, or the NFL substance abuse policy. Either way, the facts are the facts,” another user wrote.
“Cowboys should take a flier on Josh Gordon… They’ve taken chances on riskier players and have given multiple chances to the same kinds of players, Gordon would be cheap and if he’s a problem cut him…” another user wrote.
Chiefs Shift Focus to Week 1
With the roster cutdown deadline now in the rearview mirror, the front office will continue to work the transaction wire to add to the team’s practice squad, among other things. But the team itself will now shift its focus to the regular season.
The Chiefs’ regular season opener will be on the road against the Arizona Cardinals and will take place on September 11 at 3:25 p.m. Central time.