Chiefs have had ‘big plans’ for Josh Gordon in offense

On October 10 — 19 days ago — FOX Sports NFL reporter (and Arrowhead Pride advocate) Peter Schrager reported that not only would Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Josh Gordon start in his first game against the Buffalo Bills on Sunday Night Football, but would also have plays specifically designed for him.

Buffalo had other plans. After jumping out to a 24-10 lead — just part of a 38-20 victory — the Bills forced the Chiefs into their hurry-up offense. Gordon, who had only signed two weeks earlier, was not ready for those kinds of snaps. Later, head coach Andy Reid revealed that Gordon was due to get 20 plays — but as we noted in our advanced snap count analysis for the game, he received only eight.

The following week, Gordon took the podium — noting that the terminology of Reid's playbook was the "exact same" as his Pat Shurmur-Brad Childress playbook with the Cleveland Browns in 2012. But the veteran wide receiver only saw 11 plays against the Washington Football Team. In Sunday's 27-3 loss to the Tennesse Titans, he again had just eight snaps.

So what's the latest?

Is Gordon ready to contribute more? Could we actually see Gordon play something like the 20 plays Reid spoke about against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football?

"It's kind of unique the way things have worked the last couple weeks," said head coach Andy Reid on Thursday. "With all the two-minute stuff, we didn't get him in there [against Tennessee]. But he's progressing and doing the right things — and I'm proud of him for that. We'll see how things work out going forward, but he's doing a nice job for us."

Apparently, the Chiefs wanted to make him a significant part of their offense against the Titans, too.

"Well, we had big plans for him last week," said offensive coordinator Eric Bieniemy on Friday. "Unfortunately, we fell behind and we were playing catch-up mode — and that wasn't the situation that we wanted to put him in. We want him to have the opportunity to go out and do the things that he's practiced all week long, so it's all about making sure that you're putting your guys in the right situation.

"We didn't feel at that particular time that was the right situation for him to be in. Now, if that was to happen this week, will he be prepared for it? Yes, he will be."

So, it does seem that it is finally the week where the game script won't dictate how much action Gordon sees — and that is a good thing, since the Chiefs' offense could use another impact pass-catcher beyond Tyreek Hill and Travis Kelce.

So far, Gordon has one catch on two targets. He made an 11-yard catch for a first down in the Chiefs' loss to the Bills.