Dairyland Express
Fansided

Could Josh Gordon be the Answer for the Packers at Wide Receiver?

By Brian Sampson

ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots runs after catching the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images)
ORCHARD PARK, NEW YORK - SEPTEMBER 29: Josh Gordon #10 of the New England Patriots runs after catching the ball during the third quarter of a game against the Buffalo Bills at New Era Field on September 29, 2019 in Orchard Park, New York. (Photo by Bryan M. Bennett/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit

Should the Green Bay Packers pursue the newly reinstated wide receiver Josh Gordon in free agency?

Stop me if you’ve heard this before, but once again Josh Gordon has applied for reinstatement to the NFL. Given the Green Bay Packers‘ lack of proven wide receivers, should they pursue his services?

Gordon has been suspended six times by the league–five of them for substance abuse. The most recent suspension came on Dec. 16 when he was suspended indefinitely following a violation of the NFL’s policies on performance-enhancing substances and substances of abuse.

After playing for the Cleveland Browns, New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks in the last two years, he’d become an unrestricted free agent should NFL commissioner Roger Goodell grant his reinstatement. This means he’d be free to sign with a team for the first time in his career. Returning to the Seahawks is a real option.

However, if Green Bay can sneak their way into the conversation, the Packers might be an ideal landing spot for him.

The Packers have a clear need at wide receiver after failing to select one in the draft and only signing Devin Funchess in free agency. That leaves Funchess to compete with Allen Lazard and, possibly, Marquez Valdes-Scantling for the WR2 job alongside Davante Adams. Not exactly ideal.

The Packers also lost tight end Jimmy Graham and are attempting to replace him with Jace Sternberger and Josiah Deguara–neither of whom have a catch in their professional career.

Gordon might not be the same player who put up 1646 yards and nine touchdowns in just his second season–he only had 426 yards and one touchdown in 11 games in 2019–but he has the potential to become a dynamic playmaker the Packers sorely lack.

He’s still just 29-years-old and has a lot left in the tank. He clearly wants to play and with the NFL’s relaxed substance abuse violations when it comes to marijuana use, it could open the door for Gordon to finally stick around the league.

Next. Packers' Cap Space could be tight in 2021 again. dark

He’d likely be looking for a one-year prove-it deal to show the rest of the NFL he’s back to his old self. That could give the Packers the ability to build in a bunch of incentives in his contract. Gordon is far from the typical Packers’ signing, but he could be just the punch Green Bay failed to land earlier this offseason.

Home/Green Bay Packers