One of the Houston Gamblers‘ tight ends is set to sign with an NFL team ahead of the 2023 season. He is one of the first few players from the 2023 USFL to sign with an NFL team. The league concluded with the Birmingham Stallions winning the championship. The tight end, Josh Pederson, has signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars. Here is a look at the Houston Gamblers’ tight end’s season and the significance behind the Jacksonville Jaguars being the one to pick him up.
Houston Gamblers’ Tight End: 2023 USFL Season
Former ULM TE Josh Pederson (86) – Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
The Houston Gamblers had a pretty mediocre 2023 season. It is being phrased that way because they ended with a 5-5 record and were in third place in the South Division. They were not a bad team, but they also did have their struggles. Pederson was one of the tight ends on the roster and was more of a receiving player. The Houston Gamblers’ tight end had 24 receptions for 325 yards, according to Fox Sports. He had no touchdowns in the season. It was not a bad season for Pederson, but not scoring does hurt.
Pederson started in just six games for the Gamblers but did play in all ten games. Playing time is the most important thing for a player still pushing for a chance in the NFL. He joined the Gamblers in 2022 but was on the inactive list. It was announced that his contract was terminated in order for him to sign with an NFL team. Not many players have been signed with NFL teams yet, but the Houston Gamblers’ tight end was among the first couple of players.
Significance of the Jacksonville Jaguars
Former Eagles HC Doug Pederson – Patrick Smith/Getty Images
The Houston Gamblers’ tight end is Josh Pederson, and the Jacksonville Jaguars Head Coach is Doug Pederson. If you did not connect the dots, Doug Pederson is Josh Pederson’s father. Could a father be giving their son a chance to make a name for himself? Sure. The important thing will be to make sure Doug Pederson can avoid favoritism. Josh Pederson will need to make it on his own still.
The Jaguars already have Evan Engram on their roster and recently drafted the Penn State tight end Brenton Strange. Luke Farrell as of now will still be returning to the team, though he did lose playing time in 2022. Gerrit Prince will also be a player needing a chance, as well as Gerrit Prince, another rookie on the team. As long as every player gets a clear, fair chance, favoritism can be avoided, but is it a bad look?
It is not unheard of in the NFL for parents to give their children a job in the league. Coaches do it often; it is just seen less when it is for players. Once they are there, though, it is up to them to make a name for themselves. The Jaguars made it through the wild card round in the 2022 season and looking to push even further this year.
Josh Pederson NFL History
Former Saints TE Josh Pederson (85) – Scott Taetsch/Getty Images
The Houston Gamblers’ tight end has never played a snap in the NFL but has tried. In 2021, the San Francisco 49ers picked up Pederson as an undrafted free agent. He was waived in the offseason. Pederson then went to the New Orleans Saints that same year and was once again Waived before the 2021 season began. In 2022, shortly after the 2021 season, Pederson signed with the Kansas City Chiefs but was waived in May.
Following his short time with the Chiefs, Pederson signed with the Houston Gamblers. He signed with the Gamblers in May of 2022 but was inactive. It was not until the 2023 USFL season that Pederson became the Houston Gamblers’ tight end. It is July now, which means the NFL training camp will begin soon. It is still to be seen how long the tight end lasts with the team. Hopefully, for him, it works out, and he can finally get his chance in the league.
