Tag: Melvin Gordon free agent

Report: RB Melvin Gordon expected to test free agency market

It’s looking like running back Melvin Gordon won’t be back with the Los Angeles Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers and running back Melvin Gordon are not expected to agree to a contract before the start of free agency, allowing him to test the open market.

According to ESPN’s Josina Anderson, Gordon is expected to hit free agency, despite hoping that both parties would be able to work a deal.

After a four-game holdout due to contract disputes, Gordon returned to the action while playing under the franchise tag, finishing with 612 rushing yards and eight touchdowns while adding 42 receptions for 296 yards and a score.

It’s expected that plenty of running back-needy teams will show interest in the former Wisconsin product. Despite being banged up with various injuries throughout the course of his professional career, Gordon has still produced.

In five NFL seasons, the 26-year old has tallied 4,240 yards on the ground and 36 touchdowns on 1,059 carries (4.0 yards per carry). On top of that, Gordon has caught 224 passes for 1,873 yards and 11 scores.

Moving forward with the Chargers backfield, the team has Austin Ekeler, despite being a restricted free agent and Justin Jackson. Ekeler will likely receive the tender and they could find a cheap rental like LeSean McCoy or draft one in the later rounds.

RB Melvin Gordon hopes to re-sign with Chargers before free agency

Will the Los Angeles Chargers re-sign running back Melvin Gordon?

All attention has been shifted to what quarterback Philip Rivers’ future holds since he is set to become a free agent. But another player whose future with the Los Angeles Chargers remains to be seen is running back Melvin Gordon.

Gordon, who is set to hit the market, is holding hope that he can strike a deal with L.A. before free agency begins.

“Hopefully, I’m here. Hopefully, I don’t have to wait til March to know where I’m gonna be playing,” Gordon said, per Pro Football Talk.

Gordon spent this past offseason pushing for a new, hefty contract, but was unable to get that fulfilled. He held out into the regular season, but came back four weeks into it knowing that it wouldn’t do him any good to remain off the field.

It wasn’t all sunshine and rainbows for Gordon upon returning to the playing field, but he finally found his groove in Week 9. He finished the season with 612 rushing yards (3.8 yards per carry) and nine total touchdowns.

Even though Gordon has proven his worth the past few seasons, durability is still a concern since he’s had a slew of injuries throughout his career. Plus, the emergence of Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson may have made it easier for the front office to make a decision.

Gordon hopes to return in 2020 in the blue and gold. But he appeared to be uncertain solely off of recent conversations with general manager Tom Telesco.

“When it comes to business, you have to take your emotions out of it. It’s not about if you deserve to be here or not. I’ve talked to Tom plenty of times, he tells me ‘you deserve to get paid’ but sometimes it just might not be the right situation,” Gordon said.