According to multiple reports, the National Football League Players Association (NFLPA) has recommended that Josh Gordon be reinstated. Gordon, who was drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2012, has been suspended by the league multiple times throughout his career. Most of Gordon’s suspensions were related to violations of the NFL substance abuse policy. 2012 was the only season of Gordon’s career in which he played all 16 games. Gordon missed the entire 2015 for violating the NFL substance-abuse policy. Following the NFLPA’s recommendation, Gordon’s NFL return will now be in the hands of NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, but it is never too early to start thinking about potential landing spots for the former All-Pro. There is no better place to start than the Washington Football Team.
Why Signing Josh Gordon Makes Sense for the Washington Football Team
A Need at Wide Receiver
Washington needs a big, physical wide receiver to take the offense to the next level. They need a wide receiver with size and speed that can line up anywhere on the field, one that can overpower defensive backs and be a matchup nightmare for linebackers. At 6’3″ 225 pounds, Josh Gordon certainly fits this description. Gordon can bolster the Washington offense as he would provide a big target for quarterback Taylor Heinicke. Heinicke has shown that the ball can sail on him at times but with Gordon’s catch radius, a pass too high is still catchable.
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Gordon would bolster a wide receiver depth chart for Washington that already includes Terry McLaurin (6’0″, 210 pounds), Curtis Samuel (5’11”, 195 pounds), and Adam Humphries (5’11”, 195 pounds). With Samuel currently on injured-reserve, an addition at wide receiver may be necessary. Cam Sims (6’5″, 220 pounds) is the only current Washington wide receiver that matches Gordon’s size. In four seasons with Washington, Sims has yet to prove he can be a consistent option at wide receiver. Meanwhile, Gordon, in limited action with the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, showed that he can still be productive.
An Effective Comparison
2020 was Sims’ best season with Washington. It was Sims’ third season in the league. He started 10 games and finished with 32 receptions for 477 yards. His longest reception was 50 yards. 2013 was Josh Gordon’s best season; it was Gordon’s second season in the league. Gordon was named to the Pro Bowl and was selected as a first-team All-Pro. After missing the first two games of the season due to suspension, Gordon led the league in receiving yards (1,646). Gordon also had the longest reception (95 yards) and the most receiving yards per game (117.6).
Gordon’s “modern-day” comparison would be Seattle Seahawks wide receiver D.K. Metcalf. At 6’4″, 229 pounds, Metcalf is a big, physical wide receiver. Metcalf was also named to the Pro Bowl in his second season. Metcalf played in all 16 games and finished with 1,303 receiving yards. His longest reception was 62 yards and he averaged 81.4 receiving yards per game. Metcalf’s starting quarterback is a future Hall of Famer Russell Wilson. Gordon caught passes from quarterbacks Jason Campbell, Brian Hoyer, and Brandon Weeden during his Pro Bowl season.
Give “Flash” a Call
Substance abuse and the suspensions that followed impacted Gordon’s career. How many more Pro Bowl and All-Pro selections would Gordon have if he was on the field? Gordon has the support of the NFLPA on his journey to reinstatement. If Goodell agrees, Josh Gordon can instantly make a team better. If Washington wants to make their offense dynamic, they need to give “Flash” Gordon a call.
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