A month ago I wrote a piece discussing why re-signing Josh Gordon would be a wise move for the Seahawks.
Today, the seemingly inevitable reunion moved a step closer…
Free-agent WR Josh Gordon submitted his letter applying for reinstatement Wednesday, source said.
Still only 29, Gordon has been in Seattle, running routes and preparing for his return. The hope is to get his indefinite suspension lifted in time for training camp.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) June 18, 2020
“But since that time, he has realized how important it is for him to take the right steps, do what’s proper and understand how to manage these issues. He’s installed the right team around him to make sure he’s on the right path. He understands he’s been given every chance. He looks forward to making the most of this.”
Clearly this is a plausible explanation for someone who has had a lot of personal demons to conquer. It’s also, unfortunately, a familiar story for Gordon. Eventually he’s going to run out of chances to prove he’s ‘realized how important it is to take the right steps’. If he gets another opportunity with the Seahawks, it’ll possibly be his final shot in the league.
That said, the two parties are tailor made for each other in this circumstance. Pete Carroll is always willing to take on a reclamation project. Gordon needs the kind of support an organisation like the Seahawks provides. Seattle has strong leadership across the board and a quarterback with gravitas and status.
More importantly, they have an empathetic approach to their players. They celebrate uniqueness — even if it presents itself in a challenging form.
On the field, the Seahawks badly need a dynamic third wheel at receiver. The league has transitioned in the last few years and the top teams have a variety of weapons and genuine flexibility on offense. The Seahawks have Tyler Lockett, D.K. Metcalf and Greg Olsen. Putting Josh Gordon on the field too creates a headache for opponents.
His potential impact was clear in his restricted stint at the end of last year. Joining mid-season he had to work within a limited route tree but still found ways to impact games. He was a trusted and reliable presence on third down and pulled off one of the downfield catches of the season against Carolina.
If he has a training camp to develop his role, Seattle could have their most dynamic array of receiving weapons in Russell Wilson’s career. Considering the state of the defensive line currently, they’re going to need to find some ways to compensate.
He’s also not going to break the bank. With a limited market and a string of suspensions he might have to settle for a veteran minimum ‘prove-it’ contract. In that instance it’d be a no-brainer to bring him in and give him a chance to compete.
Wilson called for superstar additions at the Pro-Bowl and the Seahawks didn’t answer the call. Neither did they tap into a strong wide receiver draft until the latter stages of day three or properly address the pass rush. The least they can do is bring back one of the most talented (albeit troubled) receivers in the NFL.
The league will likely agree to his reinstatement after he missed games at the end of last season. Hopefully this will be done in time for the start of camp and the worst kept secret in the NFL — that Gordon would be reunited with the Seahawks — can be confirmed.
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yes please!
I hope this happens, Gordon fit right into the locker room, the guys seemed to like him.
That catch in the Carolina game almost defies description. How the hell he both made the catch and held onto to it after hitting the ground was a jaw dropper. As anyone who has struggled with additions knows, the next shoe is ALWAYS ready to drop…hey, I just used ‘jaw dropper’ and ‘shoe dropper’ in the same comment, just realized it! me so funny…
I was at that game. Everyone around me kept waiting for the ref to call it incomplete. The way he got his hands under the ball was pure brilliance.
Josh Gordon is such an enigma. He is the superstar everyman. Flawed beyond belief, talented to the stars… if he could just find the middle way… he would be such an amazing human… let alone football player.
I’m rooting like hell for him… on and off the field. Go Josh Gordon. Go the peoples everyman.
Feels like the offense as presently constructed is dynamic (if the OL can quickly get on track).
Carson & Hyde at RB
Lockett, DK, Moore, Dorsett, Ursua at WR
Olsen, Dissly, Hollister at TE
The one ingredient that can make it go from dynamic to overwhelming is that 3rd WR weapon that is nearly always accounted for with a one on one matchup, frequently vs the worst CB/S on the field. The flexibility and versatility that would offer will put a lot of stress on the defense and give RW a ton of options.
I think Gordon can be that ingredient.
Think about it…if Josh was out there as our WR3, do you think he would only get single coverage all the time or would it demand double coverage at times, freeing up Tyler and DK, not to mention our TE during the play! That’s exciting to think about if you ask me.
I think David Moore has the ability to fill that role, but he just hasn’t been able to put it all together.
Gordon is there for the taking, and probably at half of Moore’s salary.
Fingers crossed, Rob! I hope it happens.
Lockett, Metcalf, Gordon, Olsen, Dissley. It may not be “All-Pro” but this may be the best on paper receiving corp Seattle may ever had.
Reminds me of those pedestrian receivers of yesteryear.
And Dorsett a WR-4! By far the best overall WR/TE core we have had on paper. I would love to be optimistic, but the OL and DL just scare me.
Yeah, you have a point. O-line has some questions. D-line is even more concerning.
Nice piece Rob. It would be nice to get Josh Gordon back on the team.
With the Seahawks, we talk a lot about draft strategy & prospects (obviously, being a draft blog), personnel, schemes, salary cap etc. But i think that the inclusive culture that PC/JS have in Seattle plays a strong role in achieving their objectives. Obviously it is not the be all & end all (the Clowney situation being an example) but players seem to like being at the ‘hawks & that means that they are always an attractive option for free agents.
That catch against Carolina, I could watch that all day.
In a world where people are constantly cancelling people, reclamation becomes near impossible. That being said I’d love to have Josh Gordon back on the team. He has his demons and vices, like every other human being. I have to believe that others have the capacity for change and growth. It makes me angry when Seahawks Twitter argues against him. Anyway, I’m Looking forward to seeing him back out on the field.
I’m happy to write in more detail about Jamal Adams tomorrow.
But let me preempt the discussion on here…
They just used a second rounder on Marquise Blair and Quandre Diggs might be their second best player on defense. If you trade for Jamal Adams not only will it cost you a first round pick plus probably a lot more — but you’d also be eliminating any prospect of that second rounder on Blair working out.
Safety is one of the few positions where they have some options and depth on defense. I really like Jamal Adams but it isn’t happening. If there’s any trade on the horizon it needs to be for a pass rusher.
I don’t see it happening either and honestly, we have bigger fish to fry. I think we are in a pretty good position at Safety and we have other concerns. Good luck Jamal, I don’t see it happening in Seattle.
There’s 0.01% chance of it happening.
His cap hit, the price, the depth at safety, the needs elsewhere.
Houston gonna trade Deshaun Watson for him?
Let me dream Rob lol
Maybe he could be our nickel blitzer jk
Maybe he can add 100lbs and play defensive tackle.
This doesn’t have the feel of a major trade the Seahawks would make. Bringing in McDougald on a cheap deal and then extending him, and stealing Diggs for a middling pick is much more their speed.
BUT – If the Hawks can Clowney-level-steal him (3rd round & the jets pick up some salary) in late August for a one and done season (with the possibility of extending him long term), I’d really look hard at it.
But a big massive trade package and a long term deal? No thanks. I’d consider it for a pass rusher, but not for a safety when they have a pretty good group already.
But I wonder if they were to explore a “real” trade, whether Blair could be part of the package. I don’t know who the Jets have on their roster to take Adams’ place, but the Seahawks might have a leg up in that they can offer a projectable young safety that can take Adams’ spot in trade and start almost immediately.
Of course, that would all be contingent on the Jets liking Blair and valuing him as a cheap piece who could be a key part of their defense for the next 3 seasons.
You’d be paying double just for Blair to go to New York as part of that deal.
It’s a total non starter. But I’m seeing reporters suggest on twitter two firsts plus Blair and I’m starting to wonder if I’ve left earth and gone to planet bong.
That’s just crazy! I can’t see it even in my wildest dreams. Makes absolutely no sense to do that. 2 firsts!!!
Eating a couple million on Blair for a chance at a top talent? Not a big deal.
Trading two first round picks? That’s a dealbreaker.
The reporter that suggested that has been quarantined at home just a little too long.
I’ll be honest – i can’t remember the last time I watched the Jets.
So – how good is Adams? I certainly know his reputation. Is he a game-changing playmaker? I know it’s not apples to apples, but Pitt’s defense sure seemed to hit a different level when Minkah Fitzpatrick joined the unit.
Agree that two first rounders is insane, and hopefully a non-starter. But is Adams not enough of a disruptor to play alongside Diggs and make a real difference?
He’s a terrific player.
But he’s not Khalil Mack.
Pittsburgh and Minkah isn’t apples to apples as you said. Mainly because the Steelers’ DL was set and frees a great playmaker like Minkah to make plays.
Unfortunately, the impact of an Adams acquisition with the Hawks’ current DL would be diminished.
You are always welcome on planet bong rob.
McDougald + R2 or R3?
Jets could be in an ETIII situation.
If Adams willing to play on his current contract that is 3.5m if I know correctly.
Diggs+Adams while Blair can come in subpackages (big nickel) and serve as depth?
Still it would be a bit overkill especially with needs at DE and DT but if the Jets would be in the corner and the Hawks want a game changer and Clowney is not available this might be their only option
The Jets aren’t taking that deal, or any deal for players.
They will want a good R1 and change.
The Jets just drafted Ash Davis. No need for Blair.
The Adams idea is ridiculous. Like you said, its one of the positions we are fairly set at. They would never do that deal. I chalk it up as a Covid topic. No sports going on so lets get excited about debate rumors.
Gordon; Yes, puh-leez+++!
Well everybody has a story during these difficult times and I thought I’d share some of mine at this juncture by way of seeking a bit of advice from the community.
25 years ago, in middle age and after a nasty divorce, I worked for a year to save up money to do a bit of traveling in order to ‘get my mind right’.
Started out in Asia to make the budget go further, and made it to about a dozen countries. Connected with an an old Uni pal who was living and teaching ESL in Laos. He planted the germ of an idea and I’ve been here since.
We in the Kingdom have had rather an easy go of it as far as the pandemic goes (whatever the reasons) but my job of 25 years went down the drain, so here I am at age 66, a technophobe/IT moron with no knowledge of the world of apps, etc(and rather few networked contacts) looking for a new job with little knowledge of how that game is played in this modern age. When my office closed, I lost access to that desktop, now I have this new smart phone (my first-old dog-new tricks, n’ aw that?) looking for a job I may or may not find.
Now, SDB has been one heck of a life preserver since I happened onto it just prior to the dawn of the PC/JS/RW era. Whatever job I find (🤞) will likely not allow for my tradition of going to a sports bar at the crack of dawn for prime time Hawks games. These really help (okay, and the good weather, too) when times are thin and ‘The Black Dog of Depression’ is nipping at the heels. I know many in other places have it much tougher these days. I count myself fortunate.
My appeal is this; bearing in mind that I’m a bona-fide tech-moron blundering his way around his first smart phone (what I refer to as ‘The Devil’s Domino’), can you put me onto the best ways that I can stream Hawk’s games free on this device? I do have the blessing of decent, free wifi in my meagre flat
Cheers, BH
Hi Bankhawk, I’m sorry to hear about the job. I hope things work out for you.
In terms of streaming, personally I subscribe to gamepass. It’s not cheap — but I do wonder if it might be cheaper this year especially if fans can’t attend games. I’ve found it to be excellent value every year and you can watch the game on a phone. Short of that, some people might stream the games illegally on YouTube. I have watched some college games on there but never NFL (I haven’t tried it). Sometimes there are links doing the rounds that enable you to log into a website and watch the game but you have to do some digging to find a good one.
If anyone else has any ideas please do share.
Hey Bankhawk, I feel for you my friend. I lost my job at the end of March and I’ve been a major techno geek for 30+ years. I have been diligently looking for a job since March, and brother, it ain’t fun! I don’t know how to get you access to Seahawks games because I’m fortunate enough to have FOX on my TV and can still pay for cable access at least through the rest of the year. Good luck with finding a new job and a channel to watch our Hawks.
I’ve been in roughly the same situation. I’m a former Seattlelite now living in the Philippines and have had to struggle to find a way to watch Seahawks games. I discovered there are some free live streaming sports websites that allow you to watch all NFL games for free. Just go online and do a search for free online sports streaming. You’ll find lists such as “The Ten Best Free Sports Streaming Sites.” You’ll have to experiment to find which site works best for you. The one that I’ve used the most is sportstowatch. In a side note, I first arrived here in 2013 and struggled to watch the Seahawks in the Superbowl. The game was supposed to be on a local TV station, but got pre-empted — by a women’s volleyball game. I finally did get to watch the game on one of the sports streaming sites, but the internet was so bad at the time that the game kept buffering and losing connection and I only caught about 1/4 of the game. Much better now.
IDK if it works for football, probably, but whenever I wanna watch a big UFC fight I use Taima TV. Illegal streams. There’s usually a list of 10 or so of them and you gotta just play around w/ them to find which one works best. Fair warning, they do buffer. But if you exit the window and refresh the link it always load back up.
Sorry to hear about your job my man.
NFLbite.com
Cheers mate.
Should be by far the best site to go.
Full HD Quality, no lags, just perfect
Seconded
Yup, that’s where r/nflstreams went after they “quit before they were fired” at Reddit.
And if schedule doesn’t permit to catch a game live, they are up reasonably quick here afterwards: nflfullhd.com
I am glad they are giving him another chance. He replapsed after his brother died.. which is understandable considering he has issues with addiction.
Addiction is a disease.
They haven’t given him another chance yet. Let’s hope they do.
One more thing on Jamal Adams – – – even if we’re not interested, and even if this never comes close to happening.
Does it feel good that we’re still on a list of 7 teams, that a young star player wants to join? Yes it does.
We’re old, but we’ve still got our looks.
Important point I agree.
Hey Rob, do you think that if Parkinson and/or Sullivan really impress in whatever little camp and pre season we have, that we would cut Olsen to sign Clowney? The move would save us around 5 million to put towards Clowneys contract. I’d personally always choose Clowney vs. Olsen at this point of the season.
I don’t, no. Olsen will be part of the roster.
Parkinson will be pretty safe. Sullivan needs to earn the ‘redshirt’ spot that they always have to protect a guy they like.
They will have to be extremely creative to afford Clowney now. I think that ship might’ve sailed. And Seattle’s D-line looks set to be a costly factor in 2020.
Thanks for the insight Rob!
So since the Clowney ship has sailed all that’s left to do to improve the team is add Gordon and a d tackle? I dont think we have the flexibility of a surprise move like J. Adams or C. Jones..
The only surprise move they can pull now, as noted here… https://seahawksdraftblog.com/is-there-anyone-the-seahawks-can-trade-for
… is someone on a cheap contract this year or someone they can acquire and then backload a new deal like Frank Clark.
The issue with Clowney is it’s clearly going to be short term so they can’t backload anything. He’d basically have to be willing to play for about $5-6m now.
The off-season priority of fixing the D-line/pass rush has been an epic failure I’m afraid.
Thanks for posting the link. We all read these but its nice to be able to quickly goi back and reread.
Extremely creative how? Are there not just 2 avenues at this point? Cut the Mone’s of the world or restructure Russ/Bobby. Maybe door number three is a 2 yr 30M with most of it next year but that seem like s real longshot. Its annoying this is still a thing.I know he thinks he is just going to waltz onto a team like last year but man this year is being done so very differently. He is talented but if there was ever a year where teams wouldn’t want to deal with any extra BS this is the one. I really think the price could be lower than anyone thought.
Restructuring and cutting players IS needing to be creative.
Got ya. I read that as more options than the ones i said.
I do believe if Gordon is given one more chance, it will indeed be his last. For the sake of his future and his health I truly hope he’s able to stay sober. If it helps the Hawks in the process, that’s a bonus for the team and we fans of the team.
Or he can keep smoking and continue playing in the league without getting in trouble for it anymore.
I just cant see any reason why this wont happen as long as he gets reinstated.
Interesting when I looked at the numbers for a Jamal Adam’s trade. If they kept McDougald and Blair or traded for Adam’s and traded/released both Blair and McDougald the cap numbers are almost identical.
Keeping Blair and McDougald:
McDougald…$5,402,084
Blair…1,417,420
Total…6,819,504
Trade for Adam’s and trade/release Blair and McDougald:
Adams…3,590,292
Blair dead money…1,916,808
McD dead money…1,333,334
Total…6,840,534
Blair’s dead cap hit would be $2.695m.
Plus you’d have to fill his roster spot w another player, at a minimum call it $700k or so.
So no, they’re not equal. You wouldn’t trade for Adams and immediately cut or trade your safety depth anyway.
That would be his dead cap if he is cut, you have to dig a little deeper with Spitrac. He wouldnt be cut he would be traded so his base salary would go to the Jets. Yes you would have to add in another player. The comment was based on the fact that Blair would be part of the trade package. If they did trade for Adam’s McD would be a goner. Yes depth could be an issue but you do have Hill and Miller as options.
Steve Raible is retiring?!!! Noooooooooooo
He’s still going to do the Seahawks radio play-by-play though…so you can still get your “Touchdown, Seahawks!” sound bites
Thanks for the clarification Tom! Hopefully we’ll be hearing a lot of those this season…
Rob hope you and your family are doing well and enjoying the good weather. It was fun today to login and find a couple of weeks of incredible content to catch up on. Awesome that you have kept things going this summer but I hope you get some time off to recharge sometime over the summer.
Gordon just makes too much sense as a low risk high reward move. He he can stay on track a receiving group of (Lockett, DK, Gordon and Dorset) along with Dissly and Olsen would be the best receiving group Russ has had by a wide margin. I would rank it as a top 3 unit in the league behind KC and TB.
Still none of that matters if the Hawks don’t improve the DL and the OL does not gel in a way to give Russ time to hit these receivers.
I think if the Hawks want to make the playoffs this year they will need to be a top 3-5 scoring offense because I fear this defense could be the worst in the Pete Carrol era.
Thanks Trevor 👍🏻 Hope you and your family/friends are keeping well.
This is why you trade McDougald & 2021 1st & 3rd or 4th rd picks for Adams, to play the SS/LB role where (3) safeties would be on the field, Diggs, Adams & Blair, the same time, with BWag and Brooks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=StsMi-rms4M
The Seahawks will never play a safety in that role under Carroll. Listen to Brock Huard’s podcast he explains why.
Rob, do you happen to recall the date of the podcast where Brock elaborates on this? I’d love to give it a listen.
Just search the Brock and Salk podcast. It’s in the latest one.
Looks like Colby Parkinson has broken his foot. Man, what’s the deal with all the busted up feet?
Bad practice field conditions maybe? I’m grasping at straws.
Was told by coaches to work on “getting in and out of his breaks”…
(I’ll see myself out now…)
Rob, what do you think the top end of the price range of a contract for Gordon would look like?
I’ve been thinking that the best strategy for the Seahawks would be to try to lock him into a 2-3 year contract where they have minimal money at risk, maybe like a 2 year $7m deal with a $1.5m base in year one and 3.5m base in year 2 with potential to earn up to $1m in incentive bonuses in each year, or ad a third year at 5m base and $1m in incentives. The Seahawks would be very protected financially from yet another suspension and there’s no doubt (in my mind) that $3.3m per year invested in Gordon at age 29 is better than $3.3m per year invested in David Moore at age 25.
Do you see any potential for the Seahawks locking Gordon up for 2-3 years instead of a near vet minimum one and done type deal?
No chance. You can’t commit to a player for 2-3 years when he’s not shown to be able to stay available for 5-6 weeks let alone seasons.
It’ll be a veteran minimum deal for one season.
With a potential reunion with Josh Gordon and the vet minimum ($1.05M) from what I’m reading, does that pretty much mean David Moore is gone? With Moore’s tender, he’s set to earn $2,133,000. Signing Gordon and releasing Moore would save us the $1.1M, right?
Lockett
Metcalf
Gordon
Dorsett
Ursua
Seems like solid depth and hopefully that $1M could go towards Snacks or Griffen
I don’t think that bumps Moore. They wouldn’t have tendered him if they didn’t want him.
Gordon is too much of a wildcard to depend on him for the full 16.
Two thumbs up for a Gordon return, he’ll not only be cheap but should be motivated to stay on the field as well. Would be a terrific WR3.
Here’s also to hoping the Hawks circle back on some trade options for pass rush help. There’s no way you trade high draft capital on a Safety, even though Adams is a fantastic talent. Those picks need to be used for a pass rusher. Jones anyone? Ngakoue? Either would take some creative cap management, but might be worth it for proven talent. Or perhaps they can squeeze free agent Everson Griffen into the cap.
Didn’t gordon also get suspended for violating the PED policy? If so I’m curious as to how that will effect his bid for reinstatement. Does anyone have any idea?
welcome back mr. jacob hollister, you are no longer on my trading block.
One mteam mentioned to possibly be interested in Gordon is the Patriots. Very doubtful he returns there… another team I’ve seen mentioned is the 49ers. I don’t see an obvious scheme fit, since they are more a horizontal passing attack than a vertical one…. however, with Deebo going down with an injury and their sudden need at WR for depth (due to other injuries) they might be kicking the tires.
I suspect Seattle is the front runner to bring him in, but he could land someplace else. As Rob mentioned, he is going to be on a close to vet minimum deal. He will likely not have much leverage for a multi year deal or a deal involving any type of real cash.
Patricia Mahomes, Daniella Dimes? The internet, people…
https://twitter.com/NFL_Memes/status/1274032835817541639
Lots of “ngl” in the comments… 😂
Love the one about “Kimmy G.”:
Dak? More like Snak ngl
100% have been waiting for this to happen. Carlos Hyde and Gordon are the key to a Super Bowl! If we even see football in 2020.
No reason to be overly optimistic about a Josh Gordon signing. He makes some incredible plays but he is not what puts us over the top in regard to winning the SB.
Breaking news: Bill O’Brien trades 3 first rounders and Deshaun Watson to the Jets for Jamal Adams.
I’m slight pessimistic, that it’s a given Josh Gordon can be attained on a veteran minimum. He’s had problems with testing positive for Marijuana, but without that counting against him, he’s an elite talent potential still capable of being a number 1 WR. I really hope he makes it to the Hawks, because that’s a straight filthy good group of WRers but hope the hawks don’t blow it being cheap. If it a good idea to grab Lockett ahead of time, just imagine how big of win signing Gordon for a 2-3 year deal now, while his value is at its lowest point.
Well let’s put it this way. He’ll either be playing for the veteran minimum or not playing at all.