Mahomes excited for reinstated Gordon to get Chiefs chance
Josh Gordon has Patrick Mahomes' backing as he again attempts to relaunch his NFL career, this time with the superstar quarterback's Chiefs.
Patrick Mahomes is looking forward to working with Josh Gordon in Kansas City after the Chiefs capitalised on "a heck of an opportunity" to sign the reinstated wide receiver.
Gordon was reinstated by the NFL this week after a series of suspensions for violations of its policies on substances of abuse and performance-enhancing substances.
Most recently, the 30-year-old saw a return with the Seattle Seahawks halted in January when the league rescinded his conditional reinstatement.
Gordon recorded 1,646 receiving yards and nine touchdowns on 87 catches with the Cleveland Browns in 2013 but has since seen his role restricted by his various absences.
After spells with the New England Patriots and the Seahawks, he is back again and hoping to play a part for AFC champions the Chiefs.
Gordon must earn his place on Kansas City's 53-man roster but is linking up with outstanding quarterback Mahomes and a highly talented receiver room.
Mahomes: "He's a great football player"
"We like bringing in good football players," Mahomes said. "It was a heck of an opportunity to bring him in here, involve him in that receiver room, and he'll have his role.
"He's a great football player. In this offense, everybody gets a chance to make plays.
"He's a big receiver, and even when he's covered, he's not covered. I'm excited to work with him."
The Chiefs led the league in net passing yards last year (303.4 per game) and are on pace to beat that mark in 2021 (306.0), although they rank fifth through three weeks.
Tight end Travis Kelce is leading the way on 20 receptions for 289 yards and three TDs, ahead of top WRs Tyreek Hill (19 catches, 267 yards, one TD) and Mecole Hardman (11 catches, 107 yards, one TD).
Seven players have scored receiving TDs this year, while Mahomes has targeted 14 different team-mates.
Gordon is unlikely to be a primary option unless he returns to his early-career form, although he did make a competitive 15.8 yards per reception in his last season in the league in 2019 – ranking 21st among WRs with 20 or more targets.
He was targeted on a relatively low 17.0 per cent of his routes, however, and got open on just 56.5 per cent of his targets – the 12th-worst rate among the same group of players.
The 1-2 Chiefs face the Philadelphia Eagles in Week 4 on Sunday.