Antonio Brown? Josh Gordon? Examining their likelihood with the Seahawks
-
•
Josh Gordon made a good impression in his five games with the Seahawks last season. Ben Margot/AP Gordon already has some familiarity with Wilson and Brian Schottenheimer’s offense. The wideout’s work ethic and personability made a strong impression on the organization over his five games with Seattle last season, during which he caught seven passes for 139 yards. And while there’s the possibility of Gordon suffering another relapse that leads to another suspension — his December suspension was his sixth since the 2013 season and the fifth for some form of substance abuse, according to ESPN Stats & Information research — that would be like losing a player to an injury (but no longer being on the hook for his salary).
The risk with Brown is a repeat of the monthlong fiasco that ended his tenure with the Raiders, before he played a game for them. Or a repeat of the behind-the-scenes antics that wore out his welcome in Pittsburgh. Or something worse.
The size of the risk would depend on the size of his contract. Because the more guaranteed money it contains, the more punitive it could be in regard to the cap for the team to move on should he fall out of line.
It would be one thing if Brown were available on the cheap. In that scenario, maybe the Seahawks could live with certain parts of his past — the frozen feet and uncertified helmet debacles, going AWOL and confronting his general manager — knowing they’d have an all-world talent at a bargain price and could painlessly cut ties at the first sign of trouble. The hope would be that Brown realizes he is on a short leash and acts accordingly.
But even then, there are the other alleged parts of Brown’s past. It’s hard to imagine an organization that dealt with the fallout from the Clark pick signing a player who stands accused of sexual assault.
The Seahawks considered Brown when he was released by the Raiders, then passed on him two weeks later after he was let go by the New England Patriots.
Seattle’s approach with Tramaine Brock in 2017 might be instructive in this case. The team kept a close eye on the cornerback for months that offseason and only signed him once his charge of domestic violence was dropped. The woman later said through her attorney that the altercation in question was verbal.
It might take a similar turn with Brown for the Seahawks’ interest in him to go any further. Unless that happens, don’t hold your breath on seeing him catch passes from Wilson that count.
