One of Kansas City’s biggest acquisitions during the 2021 regular season was the addition of wide receiver Josh Gordon. The former Cleveland Brown led the NFL in receiving yards in 2013, which landed him First-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors that year. He is the first and only player in NFL history to record 200 receiving yards in two consecutive regular-season games and owns the NFL record for most receiving yards in a four-game span with 774 yards late in 2013.
Having played for three teams and missed all of 2015, 2016, and 2020 prior to playing for the Chiefs, there were still some expectations from Gordon. Unfortunately, Gordon saw just five catches off 14 targets for 32 yards and a touchdown in nine games.
Josh Gordon had a quiet nine games in the regular season with the Chiefs. But a full offseason could lead to better production in Kansas City.
Those are certainly not the numbers anyone expected from Gordon in a nine-game span. After averaging 16 yards or more per catch in five different seasons, he averaged just 6.8 yards per reception in 2021. Obviously, that’s not good. Especially under Andy Reid’s offense and with Patrick Mahomes at quarterback.
Even though Titans wide receiver Julio Jones joined the team right before training camp and Cardinals tight end Zach Ertz was acquired in a trade in October, both players were able to contribute to their new teams without a full offseason. Five catches in nine games is not good, especially with Gordon’s abilities, even without a full offseason.
But what if Gordon returns to Kansas City? Could a full offseason help him and make the offense even better?
The only way we’ll know is if the Chiefs and Gordon agree to a one-year deal. There’s little risk in doing so and it gives Gordon another opportunity to play in Kansas City and it might pay off in a big way.
Given what Gordon has accomplished in the past, it might be worth giving him one more shot this offseason. Shortly after Gordon signed with the Chiefs in September, ESPN reporter Adam Schefter reported there is interest from Gordon to be in Kansas City beyond the 2021 season.
We already know what the Chiefs have in Pro Bowlers Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce. Mecole Hardman has been inconsistent, but we know what he is capable of when he has the ball in his hands. If Gordon returns to his old form, Kansas City’s offense becomes even better. That’s bad news for the 31 other defenses across the league.
A full offseason with Mahomes can only help Gordon and possibly boost the Chiefs offense.