The Seattle Seahawks released controversial receiver Josh Gordon on Thursday, adding new intrigue to rumours that the oft-suspended wide-out could end up in the CFL.
The Toronto Argonauts re-added Gordon to the team’s exclusive negotiation list on December 28, 2020. Exactly one week earlier, the NFL determined Gordon broke the terms of his conditional reinstatement after being suspended indefinitely for violating the league’s substance abuse policy.
The move sidelined Gordon again, creating even more uncertainty regarding his future in the NFL. The receiver didn’t play a down in 2020 for the Seattle Seahawks after being suspended for a fifth time in December 2019.
In January, 3Down’s own Justin Dunk reported that the recent high profile signing of fellow receiver Martavis Bryant might draw Gordon up north. Bryant had been out of the NFL due to a similar indefinite suspension and both players have been coveted by members of the Argos’ personnel staff since they were employed in Saskatchewan.
Gordon has played 63 career NFL games, making 247 receptions for 4,252 yards and 20 touchdowns while averaging 17.1 yards per catch. His best season came in 2013 when he caught 87 passes for a league-leading 1,646 yards with nine touchdowns in 14 games. Through parts of six seasons in the NFL, Gordon has made over $5.5 million.
The star receiver was first linked to the CFL in 2014 as part of the Calgary Stampeders’ neg list. Faced with the prospect of missing a full year on the football field in 2014, Gordon considered playing the remainder of the CFL schedule, although that would have required obtaining his release from the Cleveland Browns at the time.
The fact that Gordon wanted to play pro football in Canada stands out. He’s aware of the league, respects the high level of talent, and sees it as a legitimate way to extend his playing career.
Now a free agent without any NFL prospects, Gordon could finally head north and the Argonauts have taken a number of big swings this offseason on similarly high profile NFL flame-outs.
A struggling football market even before the greatest financial crisis in CFL history, adding a former star in Gordon would ensure people in The Six start to take notice of the new look franchise. The receiver simply has to decide if he wants to get back on the field.
