According to NFL insider Aaron Wilson, the Detroit Lions are trying out rookie tight end Thomas Gordon (Gordon more or less confirmed the news on his social media page).
Gordon went undrafted this year, but spent rookie minicamp with the Chicago Bears as a tryout. After a month passed, he eventually joined the Bears and spent all of training camp with the team. He played in 18 defensive snaps in the preseason before being waived in the final roster cutdowns in August.
Prior to his professional career,
Gordon spent six years at Northwestern. He was a consistent contributor on offense from 2021-24, and dabbled in special teams for most of his time as a Wildcat. Over 54 game appearances with Northwester, Gordon hauled in 54 catches for 529 yards and two touchdowns.
Gordon also had a brief appearance in the UFL, playing a single game with the San Antonio Brahmas earlier this year before signing with the Bears.
Listed on the UFL website as 6-foot-5, 255 pounds, Gordon is a big-framed tight end that was mostly used as a run blocker in college.
There is no apparent need for tight end on the Lions roster. The Lions have Sam LaPorta, Brock Wright, and Ross Dwelley on their 53-man roster and Zach Horton on the practice squad. That said, it’s possible there is an injury we’re unaware of—or the Lions could just see some developmental potential in Gordon. We’ll see in the next 24 hours or so whether Detroit opts to sign Gordon.
