PFF is already raining on the Chiefs Josh Gordon parade

PFF analyst Ian Hartitz is already raining on the Josh Gordon/Kansas City Chiefs parade with a reality check on the aging receiver’s production. 

Chiefs fans could only dream of a Josh Gordon/Patrick Mahomes connection, but Arrowhead hopes are already clashing with harsh reality.

At least, that’s what PFF’s Ian Hartitz thinks.

After the news broke that the Chiefs plan to bring in Gordon for Week 4, Hartitz hit the Internet with a swift reality check: Gordon isn’t the 2013 phenom of yesteryear.

Ouch.

PFF is already raining on the Kansas City Chiefs signing of Josh Gordon

Josh “Flash” Gordon earned his reputation in his historic sophomore season with the Cleveland Browns, when he caught 1,646 yards in just 14 games.

That year, Gordon also became the first NFL player to score 200+ receiving yards in two consecutive games, leaving an indelible mark on NFL history that has lasted eight years.

Hartitz makes a valid point — no one has truly seen what Gordon can do since 2013 — and his age and lacking experience makes him quite a gamble for anyone.

But Gordon’s NFL absence could have actually benefitted him, as it means he’s suffered less wear-and-tear over the years and could be in exceptional health.

While NFL fans have often lacked sympathy for problematic players, Gordon’s plight has garnered the sympathy of the organizations, players, and fandoms he’s been a part of over the years. The Browns stuck with him for six arduous years until he was traded away to the Patriots, then the Seahawks. With each of these last two respective teams, Gordon failed the substance abuse policy and was suspended for months on end.

Hartitz’s reservations are valid, but if Gordon can, as Stephen A. Smith says, stay off the weed, there’s hope that the decade-long saga could result in a happy ending. Some of the NFL’s strongest and most forgiving organizations have taken a chance on Gordon, but a chance to shine in the Chiefs offense could finally give the NFL world another glimpse of Flash.

One of the lowest moments in Gordon’s career came when he had to sell his 2018 Super Bowl ring won with the New England Patriots. If the Chiefs address their offensive and defensive issues, Gordon may just be able to replace his lost ring with a new one in 2022.