KC Chiefs release Josh Gordon (with plans to re-sign him)

The Kansas City Chiefs have made the decision to release wide receiver Josh Gordon but that doesn’t mean they are finished with their plans for him. In fact, NFL reporter Tom Pelissero says the Chiefs want him back if he’s able to clear waivers.

The Chiefs have kept Gordon inactive throughout the postseason. Instead, the team has elevated Daurice Fountain as another wide receiver who is capable of playing special teams over him.

Instead of reading too much into the Chiefs’ choice to let Gordon go, it’s important to remember that the Chiefs needed to find a way to bring Khalen Saunders onto the active roster or lose him for the duration of the season. The defensive tackle had been on injured reserve and the Chiefs had a choice to make with regards to the present roster.

The Chiefs released Gordon in order to make room for Khalen Saunders’ return.

The Chiefs haven’t played Saunders at all since Week 7 so it will be interesting to see if he earns any playing time or whether he remains inactive like Gordon. Saunders’ presence gives the team a bit more security up front in the trenches knowing how tough such a long season can be for those playing along the lines on both sides of the ball.

Saunders was the Chiefs’ third-round pick back in the 2019 NFL Draft out of Western Illinois. Injuries have kept him from building on his first season in which he played 12 games and made 4 starts. This year in parts of only seven games, Saunders has only 8 total tackles and two quarterback pressures.

As for Gordon, the Chiefs want him back on the practice squad and it’s important to remember that when he first signed, the Chiefs made it clear they were talking about him as a long-term fit. It will be interesting to see whether that language is still used around Gordon if he’s able to make it back to the team’s practice squad.

Gordon had 5 catches for 32 yards and 1 touchdown on the year for the Chiefs.