Report: Seahawks Awarded WR Josh Gordon Off Waiver Wire

Looking to add another dynamic weapon for Russell Wilson, Seattle put in a claim and landed Gordon, who was waived by New England on Thursday.

Nobody should be surprised the Seahawks, who never leave a stone unturned trying to improve their roster, put in a claim for receiver Josh Gordon.

But the fact none of the 27 teams in front of them on the waiver pecking order did? That’s a bit of a stunner.

According to Ian Rapoport of NFL Network, the Seahawks have been awarded Gordon’s rights off waivers after being released from injured reserve by the Patriots on Thursday. To make room for him on the 53-man roster, the team released linebacker/defensive end Dekoda Watson.

Coach Pete Carroll confirmed the report, but announced the 28-year old receiver won’t play this weekend against the Buccaneers.

“He’s a unique talent.” Carroll said. “Next week we’ll take a look and see what he looks like.”

Originally entering the NFL as a second-round supplemental pick for the Browns in 2012, Gordon’s career has been tarnished by multiple violations of the league’s substance abuse policy and lengthy suspensions as a result. But when available and healthy, he’s one of the most physically gifted players at his position.

Back in 2013, the 6-foot-3, 225-pound Gordon led the NFL with over 1,600 receiving yards and scored nine touchdowns, earning First-Team All-Pro recognition. But since then, he hasn’t surpassed 737 receiving yards in a season and missed the entire 2015 and 2016 seasons serving an indefinite suspension.

After being re-instated in 2018, the Browns traded Gordon to the Patriots and initially, the move paid off. In 11 games, he caught 40 passes for 720 yards and three touchdowns before leaving the team to focus on his mental well-being.

Facing an indefinite ban for violating the terms of his conditional reinstatement, Gordon received clearance from the league to return prior to the start of the regular season. In six games for New England this season, he produced 20 receptions for 287 yards and a touchdown.

Seattle has a history under Carroll of giving troubled players a chance and for the most part, these moves have paid off for the organization. Marshawn Lynch found a home with the Seahawks, rushing for over 1,200 yards in four straight seasons, while receiver Mike Williams returned from free agent purgatory to record 65 receptions and 751 receiving yards in 2010.

Carroll couldn’t believe no other teams claimed Gordon, and based on his checkered past, hopefully there’s not something going on behind the scenes that influenced those decisions. But with a team-friendly contract that only lasts through the end of the season, Seattle felt he was worth putting a claim in for and it's a low-risk move.

Assuming he’s in good standing off the field and his injuries are healed, Gordon could form a fearsome trio alongside Tyler Lockett and DK Metcalf at Wilson’s disposal as the Seahawks aim for an NFC West division title.