The Broncos are signing former Chargers running back Melvin Gordon to a two-year contract, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport.
Gordon’s two-year deal is worth $16 million and includes $13.5 million guaranteed, according to Rapoport.
Going into free agency, the Broncos were believed to be in the market for a running back to complement Phillip Lindsay.
Denver had preliminary interest in David Johnson before he was traded to the Texans, which increased speculation that Denver might be planning to bring in a big-name running back. Gordon fits what the team was looking for.
This might be bad news for Royce Freeman, who could be demoted to RB3 duties this season. Freeman was a third-round draft pick in 2018.
Gordon (6-1, 215 pounds) was selected by the Chargers with the 15th overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft out of Wisconsin. After a quiet rookie season, Gordon had a breakout year in 2016, earning a Pro Bowl nod after gaining 1,416 yards from scrimmage and scoring 12 touchdowns.
Due to several injuries and a holdout last year, Gordon has missed 13 games over the last five seasons. Gordon has a career rushing average of 4.0 yards per carry but he averaged just 3.8 yards per carry last year. He has averaged 8.4 yards per reception in his career.
The 26-year-old RB has totaled 6,113 yards from scrimmage and has scored 47 touchdowns in 67 career games. Gordon ranks fourth on the Chargers’ all-time rushing list in yards (4,240) and touchdowns (36).
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