A six-year Northwestern tight end who took the long UFL-to-practice-squad road before landing with Detroit.
Thomas Gordon is a 6-foot-5, 250-pound tight end whose path to the NFL wound through six seasons at Northwestern, a brief UFL stop, and a rookie year on the Chicago Bears' practice squad before he found his way to the Lions on a futures deal. He is not a flashy volume threat, but he offers size and experience at a position where Detroit values reliable blocking and underneath targets.
Path to the league
Gordon spent six years at Northwestern, developing into a steady if unspectacular pass catcher who topped out with 27 receptions for 252 yards and a touchdown in his final college season in 2024. He went undrafted in 2025 and briefly signed with the UFL's San Antonio Brahmas, appearing in one game before that stint ended.
Career highlights
Across his Northwestern career, Gordon caught 54 passes for 529 yards and two touchdowns, carving out a role as a reliable underneath option in the Big Ten. His size and experience made him an appealing tryout candidate for NFL teams looking to add tight end depth after the draft.
2025 season recap
Gordon signed with the Chicago Bears in August 2025 as his rookie season began, but did not make Chicago's initial 53-man roster. He landed on the Bears' practice squad in December and stayed through the team's playoff push before Chicago opted not to bring him back on a futures deal. Detroit signed him to a reserve/futures contract in late January 2026.
Sources
- Pride Of Detroit: Detroit Lions signing former Bears tight end to futures deal
- SI Northwestern: Chicago Bears Sign Former Northwestern Tight End
Player Profile
Background
- Position
- Tight End
- Group
- offense
- College
- Northwestern
- Hometown
- Houston, TX, USA
- Age
- 25
- Status
- active
