If anyone was going to have the perspective about the pros and cons of claiming recently cut wide receiver Josh Gordon, it was going to be the Miami Dolphins (and the Cleveland Browns — where Gordon spent the vast majority of his career). And so when it was announced that someone indeed did file a claim for Gordon, but it wasn’t the Miami Dolphins, no one should be too frustrated.
Gordon will head west to play for the Seattle Seahawks and the Dolphins will continue onward, looking for more of a spark to provide a win and keep the passing game humming. From the Dolphins’ perspective, Gordon would have made sense in a “buy low” scenario — you claim him, you pay his contract and then you consider if you want to negotiate a contract extension before he’s due to hit free agency next March.
For the Dolphins to not claim Gordon, he must not be someone they envision as a long-term part of their plan — and that’s perfectly fine. These coaches know Gordon and his personal demons as well as anyone in the sport — they saw it hands on during their time with the Patriots.
The writing on the wall here tells us the Dolphins either like what they see from outside wide receiver DeVante Parker and/or Preston Williams — or that they’re intent on seeing as much as possible of both of them this season. Gordon wouldn’t take reps away from Grant and Wilson, he’d take reps from the undrafted rookie in Williams or the former 1st-round enigma in Parker. But now, because the Dolphins decided to pass on adding Gordon, he won’t be taking reps away from anyone.
