Free-agent wide receiver Josh Gordon, who played with the Seattle Seahawks last season, submitted Wednesday his letter for reinstatement into the NFL, according to multiple reports Thursday.
Matt Rourke/Associated Press
Free-agent wide receiver Josh Gordon, who played with the Seattle Seahawks last season, submitted Wednesday his letter for reinstatement into the NFL, according to multiple reports Thursday.
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The NFL Network first reported the news.
Gordon, 29, has been indefinitely suspended since last December for violating the league’s policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse. The embattled receiver played five games with the Seahawks in 2019 before his punishment.
ProFootballTalk.com reported in May that Gordon would be applying for reinstatement. There’s optimism in Gordon’s camp that his indefinite suspension could be lifted in time for training camp, per multiple national news outlets.
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Gordon flashed promise in his limited time with Seattle last season, recording seven catches for 139 yards. But his off-the-field issues cut short his momentum with his new team. He’s been suspended six times by the NFL since the 2013 season, derailing his promising career.
Gordon began his career with the Browns — he was named a first-team All Pro in 2013 after a league-high 1,646 receiving yards in 14 games — and was traded to the Patriots in 2018. The Seahawks claimed him off waivers last November.
If Gordon is reinstated, Seattle would presumably look very seriously into signing him. The Seahawks raved about his presence with the team, and a number of players have said they’d like him back in 2020.
The interest in a reunion is mutual. Gordon has indicated several times on social media that he’d like to return to the Seahawks. He’s spent the offseason in the Seattle area, working out with Seahawks players and other NFL players. He’s been posting pictures of his workouts on his Instagram page.
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In a statement provided to the NFL Network, Gordon’s lawyer said his client lapsed because of his brother’s death. Gordon’s brother passed away in November, a month before his indefinite suspension.
“He’s installed the right team around him to make sure he’s on the right path,” the statement said. “He understands he’s been given every chance. He looks forward to making the most of this.”
There is reason to believe commissioner Roger Goodell could reinstate Gordon. Embattled pass rusher Aldon Smith, who starred for the 49ers before a series of off-the-field issues had him out of the league, was reinstated in May. He signed a one-year contract with the Cowboys. Smith last played in the NFL in 2015.
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If Gordon is reinstated, he would become — at age 29 — an unrestricted free agent for the first time in his career.
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Ben Arthur covers sports for SeattlePI. He can be reached by email at benjaminarthur@seattlepi.com. Follow him on twitter at @benyarthur.