‘Last chance’: Terrell Davis believes Melvin Gordon’s tenure in Denver is on life support

Former Broncos RB Terrell Davis breaks down Melvin Gordon’s current place on the Broncos.

The Broncos first six games of the season have been an utter mess. Nothing encapsulates that mess more than Melvin Gordon’s roller coaster status as RB1. 

Despite losing Javonte Williams for the season, Gordon was mostly seen standing on the sideline with a face made for memes, while Latavius Murray, who was just signed off the street, got more play with the 1s in Denver’s Monday night loss to the Chargers. 

Postgame, Gordon’s tenure as a Bronco looked like it was on life support

Then a plot twist, Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett said this week Gordon will start against the Jets, but one Denver legend believes Gordon is almost on borrowed time. 

“He knows that [this is] probably his last chance,” Said Davis in an interview with Sports Seriously’s Tony Anderson. “You just can’t afford to put the ball on the ground anymore. And if that happens, he knows what we all know. He’s probably not gonna be there.”

Davis, in a wide-ranging interview on the multitude of issues with Denver’s 2-4 start, shared why Gordon’s fumbling issue makes it almost impossible to be a productive, or a trustworthy option, for Hackett’s offense: 

“Your number one job is you can’t turn that thing over. You gotta secure the rock. And if you are so focused now on ‘I can’t fumble the ball,’ it’s almost impossible to be productive,” said Davis to Anderson. “He’s got a short leash and he’s walking on a pretty tight rope.” 

But Davis kept it real, he admitted it’s not just Gordon with the short leash in Denver right now after their abysmal start. 

You can watch the Davis’ full Sports Seriously interview at the top of the article

4 running backs the Rams should consider trading for

The Rams haven’t gotten much production from their running game this season and there are a few RBs they could look to trade for.

The running game of the Los Angeles Rams has been nonexistent this season as the duo of Darrell Henderson JR. and Cam Akers has been largely ineffective. Sean McVay and Les Snead have revealed that the Rams are fielding trade offers for Akers to incite a fresh start for both sides, so Los Angeles could be in the market for adding a running back.

The Rams are high on Kyren Williams, but the rookie running back is on injured reserve, though he could be activated to the 21-day return window sometime soon. There’s a chance that Los Angeles expects Williams to be the running back that provides a spark in the rushing attack once he returns.

Meanwhile, we certainly can’t rule out the possibility of a potential trade involving a running back ahead of the trade deadline in November. With a few running backs being mentioned in trade rumors, here are four running backs the Rams should consider trading for.

Maybe the Broncos and Melvin Gordon are heading toward a trade?

If the Broncos aren’t going to play Melvin Gordon, they should trade him for a late-round draft pick.

Signs started two weeks ago that the Denver Broncos might be ready to move on from running back Melvin Gordon.

Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, Gordon didn’t get his first carry of the game until late in the second quarter. He then fumbled that carry — his fourth fumble in four weeks — and that might have sealed his fate in Denver.

Denver had to lean on Gordon last week after losing Javonte Williams to a season-ending knee injury, but after getting new addition Latavius Murray up to speed, the Broncos benched Gordon in Week 6.

Gordon rushed three times in the first half of Monday’s game against the Los Angeles Chargers and was then benched at halftime. Murray appears to be the team’s RB1 going forward with Mike Boone mixed in.

If that is the case, the Broncos would be wise to trade Gordon before the NFL’s Nov. 1 deadline (the running back’s “likes” on Twitter seem to suggest he would welcome a trade).

Several teams could be interested in an experienced running back with a nose for the end zone, perhaps including the Los Angeles Rams. L.A. appears ready to move on from Cam Akers — maybe Denver could offer Gordon to the Rams as a potential replacement for Akers.

The Broncos would be unlikely to fetch much in a trade for a 29-year-old running back with fumble woes, but even a late-round pick would be better than just sitting Gordon on the bench for the rest of the season.

Denver currently has just five picks to use in the 2023 NFL draft and general manager George Paton has said he plans to acquire more. Parting ways with Gordon would give the running back a fresh start while giving the Broncos some extra draft capital. A split might be the best course of action for all parties.

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Melvin Gordon appears to want the Broncos to trade him and we totally get it

It looks like Gordon might want out of Denver. We don’t blame him!

In a tough season like the Broncos, many established veterans will understandably want to jump ship. When even a struggling Russell Wilson neglected to use his favorite catchphrase after a devastating loss to the Chargers, you know the situation is dire at Mile High.

Judging by some of Melvin Gordon’s latest Twitter likes, it seems he agrees with an apparently frustrated Jerry Jeudy. In fact, Gordon’s recent social media activity says the two-time Pro Bowl running back probably wants to take his displeasure a step further. How, do you ask?

Gordon’s Twitter likes say he certainly wouldn’t mind a trade because he wants out of a growing chaotic situation in Denver:

Oh, man. I don’t know how realistic Gordon’s demands are (he hasn’t formally asked for a trade). Or if he even really wants off the Broncos, and these Twitter likes were more reactive frustration after a 2-4 start for the team.

That said: It’s hard to blame Gordon if he does want a trade. The Broncos don’t look like they’re going to turn it around, and it seems he might have been unceremoniously benched mid-game by Nathaniel Hackett during Denver’s matchup against the Chargers on Monday night. (Note: Gordon has four fumbles in six games this season.)

It’s a simple mix. A lousy team plus limited playing time equals boiled-over frustration for a talented veteran and the potential desire to play elsewhere. Stay tuned on this one because I have a hunch it will not get any better for the Broncos or Gordon any time soon.

The Broncos have benched RB Melvin Gordon

The Broncos benched Melvin Gordon on Monday, turning the backfield over to Latavius Murray and Mike Boone.

Three weeks ago, the Denver Broncos appeared ready to transition from a two-back rotation to a game plan that featured Javonte Williams.

Against the Las Vegas Raiders in Week 4, Broncos running back Melvin Gordon didn’t get his first carry of the game until late in the second quarter, and he promptly fumbled the ball, his fourth fumble of the year.

Even before that fumble, Denver had reduced Gordon’s touches. The running back got a second chance last week out of necessity because the Broncos lost Williams to a season-ending knee injury.

Denver signed veteran Latavius Murray after losing Williams but Murray wasn’t ready to play on Thursday last week after previously playing with the New Orleans Saints in London on Sunday.

So the Broncos’ backfield against the Indianapolis Colts in Week 5 featured Gordon and third-string running back Mike Boone.

Murray was ready to play in Week 6 and he quickly became the lead back for Denver, rushing 15 times for 66 yards on 27 snaps against the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday. Boone got the second-most snaps at running back (21). Gordon was seemingly benched at halftime.

Gordon played nine snaps in the first two quarters, rushing three times for eight yards. He had no snaps in the second half. Gordon was listed on the injury report with a neck injury last week, but coach Nathaniel Hackett said after a 19-16 loss that the running back did not suffer an injury during Monday’s game.

Gordon not getting any second-half snaps was a coach’s decision.

Going forward, Murray appears to be the Broncos’ new starter. With the NFL’s trade deadline (Nov. 1) approaching, Gordon will be a name to watch.

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A frustrated Jerry Jeudy and Melvin Gordon became a meme late in Broncos’ ugly loss to Chargers

Melvin Gordon’s face said it all… again.

The Denver Broncos had another horrific game Monday night and once again it was on national TV for all of us to not enjoy.

The Broncos lost to the Chargers, 19-16, in overtime but really, no team should have won that game and everybody who watched the game should take a loss.

During overtime, Broncos wide receiver Jerry Jeudy appeared to be a bit frustrated and he shared those frustrations with Melvin Gordon, who became a meme in the Broncos last game against the Colts.

Check out this scene between the two, who didn’t look all that happy about how things were playing out for their dreadful offense:

That became a meme.

Top Twitter reactions from Chargers’ win over Broncos

How Twitter reacted to the Chargers’ victory over the Broncos in Week 6.

The Chargers defeated the Broncos 19-16 in overtime on Monday Night Football. Kicker Dustin Hopkins made the winning 39-yard field goal, which puts Los Angeles at 4-2 on the season.

Here’s how the internet reacted to the thrilling game:

Behind Enemy Lines: Previewing Week 6 with Broncos Wire

Answers to a few burning questions about the Broncos ahead of their matchup with the Chargers.

The Los Angeles Chargers and Denver Broncos are about to go head-to-head on Monday night.

Before the matchup, Broncos Wire’s managing editor Jon Heath spoke with us about Los Angeles’ opponent.

1. Do you think Russell Wilson’s struggles have more to do with the lat injury or offensive structure?

I think it’s a combination, but the injury has only been for the last game and a half. Even before the injury, the offense has been extremely sluggish and some of Wilson’s throws have been off. I think he’s still getting familiar with his receivers and he’s still getting familiar with Nathaniel Hackett and the offense. Broncos fans keep waiting for everything to click, but it’s been pretty ugly so far.

2. What’s Denver’s plan going to be on offense after losing Javonte Williams and Garett Bolles for the season?

They like Melvin Gordon at running back, but he’s not as explosive as Williams. Gordon will be the RB1 but Latavius Murray and/or Mike Boone will also be part of the mix. At left tackle, Calvin Anderson appears to be the next man up to replace Bolles. He’s been a backup swing tackle over the last two years and has just a handful of starts on his resume. He’ll be a weak link that pass rushers will try to exploit.

3. Patrick Surtain II has ascended to star status this season. Where’s the weakness on this defense to avoid throwing at him?

Denver lost its other outside cornerback, Ronald Darby, to a season-ending ACL injury. That presumably means fourth-round pick Damarri Mathis is now in line to start. Mathis has been a fine rotational cornerback through the first five games, but he’s unproven as a starter. QBs will likely test him often.

4. What has made Ejiro Evero’s defense so effective in his first season as defensive coordinator?

He inherited a very talented roster, and he didn’t make many big changes to Vic Fangio’s scheme (Evero comes from the Fangio coaching tree). One notable difference Evero has in play-calling is blitzing. Fangio rarely blitzed linebackers, but Evero has sent inside linebackers on several occasions this year, often at just the right time.

5. What’s your prediction for the game?

Like I said earlier, Broncos fans keep waiting for the team’s offense to click and turn things around. Faced with the possibility of dropping to 2-4, this may be the week Denver gets back on track. Until I see it, though, I can’t back the Broncos to just flip a switch. The defense should keep them in Monday’s game, but it’s hard to have any confidence in Denver’s offense.

Chargers, 23-19.

Broncos coach Nathaniel Hackett reiterates desire for backfield committee

With Latavius Murray now in the mix, the Broncos are expected to employ a backfield committee on MNF.

After losing Javonte Williams to a season-ending injury, the Denver Broncos signed veteran Latavius Murray to add more depth at running back.

After traveling back from London on a short week, Murray was inactive for his first game with the Broncos, but he’s expected to dress this week when Denver faces the Los Angeles Chargers on Monday Night Football.

Without Murray last week, Melvin Gordon got 18 touches and Mike Boone got 10 touches. It remains to be seen if Murray will jump Boone on the depth chart, but it seems clear that Gordon will not be a workhorse going forward.

“I’ve kind of talked about it in the past: I think that with so many games and how violent this game is, the more backs you can have touch the ball and have fresh legs be out there, is always good,” coach Nathaniel Hackett said last week.

“We’re going to get to know Latavius, here. I’ve known him for a long time, and I know he’s a downhill runner, he can do a lot of different things, he’s a very experienced back, so is Melvin. Then Boone, you saw him come on last game quite a bit. So all three of those guys, you want to see them have the ball in their hands at some point.”

Hackett has maintained that he likes to use a backfield committee. Gordon is the top guy on the depth chart and he’ll likely get the most touches going forward, but there will be carries for the team’s other backs as well.

A rotational approach to the backfield might be frustrating for fantasy football managers, but it should help Denver’s RBs stay healthy and fresh.

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