The Tennessee Titans made an addition to their wide receivers group last week when the team signed Josh Gordon to the practice squad.
Gordon was with the Kansas City Chiefs during the offseason but was one of the team’s 53-man roster cuts. He revealed the Chiefs wanted to bring him back on the practice squad but decided Tennessee was a better opportunity.
After leading the NFL in receiving yards in 2013, Gordon has seen quite the fall from grace thanks to several off-the-field issues that have led to a handful of suspensions.
Since leaving Cleveland, Gordon has seen stints with the New England Patriots, Seattle Seahawks and Chiefs, all with little to no success.
On Monday, Gordon went into detail about his lackluster production the past few seasons, noting how difficult it is to fit in with a new team on the fly like he did in Seattle and Kanas City.
And it’s a situation he once again finds himself in after arriving in Tennessee, although he’s changing addresses before the season starts.
“I think it’s just tough to come in to a new team like I did before from Seattle to a different place and transition Week 6 to try and instill that trust,” Gordon said, per Paul Kuharsky. “Sometimes it takes years — guys been together for a decade, sometimes five, six years… I know I’m coming in behind the 8-ball, so I’ve got to make up for lost time. That’s just one thing I’ve got to do that’s been an obstacle of mine and that’s just my issue. I don’t think it’s anything I can’t overcome, it’s more of a challenge I’m looking forward to.”
Gordon remains confident in himself physically, but more importantly says he’s in a good place mentally.
“It’s pretty good,” Gordon said of his speed. “You can go out there [in practice] and check. You might see it this Sunday, man, hopefully.”
“I feel like I’m in a great place,” he added. “I think the past few years probably have been rough on everybody… but I’m blessed to have my family support me and the teams as well. Coach Vrabel, the general manager here, the rest of the teammates, my position coach here; the Titans extended every resource to help me out and I definitely will take them up on that offer. But for now, I’m doing great and I’m enjoying myself here.”
As far as what he’s been doing since coming to Tennessee, Gordon says he’s been working on conditioning and going through the playbook, and he’s spent time with wide receivers coach Rob Moore to get up to speed.
With the Titans desperately needing help at wide receiver, Gordon should get a shot, but he realizes there are no promises as far as what his role will be, if he has one at all.
“No promises, no promises. That’s not how it usually works,” Gordon said with a smile. “You’ve got to show them proof, so that’s what I’m expecting to do. That’s what I hope to do — go out here and make some plays, contribute, put my best foot forward and have a good time while I’m doing it.”
