Five KC Chiefs who need a strong preseason to save their jobs

Josh Gordon

Josh Gordon was an AMAZING wide receiver in 2013. That was nine seasons ago. In the four seasons that he has been able to play in since he came back from his initial two year suspension/hiatus he has averaged just 22.75 receptions per season. There was a brief period with the New England Patriots where it looked like Gordon might be able to recapture a little of his old success, but since he was put on waivers by the Patriots in the middle of the 2019 season he has only been able to record 12 NFL receptions.

Gordon has a big name and everyone liked the idea of him finding success after battling substance abuse demons. When Justyn Ross was put on IR at the start of camp it looked like Gordon might have a clear path to earning a reserve wide receiver spot as a pass catcher. The Chiefs will definitely keep one special teams player at receiver, but if they keep six Gordon could be that next man up. The problem is that it hasn’t looked like that’s the case so far in camp.

Not only is Gordon not a regular special teams contributor like Daurice Fountain or Justin Watson, but he’s running behind them in the wide receiver rotation as well. When I was at camp both Watson and Fountain looked better in their reps against the first team defense than Gordon did going against the second team. I just don’t see a path to Gordon making the roster unless he can flash some of his old pass catching prowess. If they can get equal or better receiver production from younger players that contribute on special teams it will be an easy choice for them.

This could be Josh Gordon’s last chance in the NFL. He needs to go off in these preseason games quick or he could find himself on a similar path as DeAndre Baker.

Finally, let’s talk about a running back that needs to hold off an exciting rookie.