The regular season now sits just days away and there is still no conclusion in sight to the ongoing stalemate between the Los Angeles Chargers and star running back Melvin Gordon. Gordon has been holding out of camp and preseason in search of a new contract and has yet to report.
However, it’s looking more and more with each passing day that a resolution between the two sides is much more far-fetched than previously anticipated. In fact, with their season opener against the Indianapolis Colts just days away, the Chargers have reportedly turned their focus away from signing Gordon to a long-term deal. According to NFL.com’s Andie Hagemann, Chargers GM Tom Telesco says the team will cut off all extension talks with Gordon for now and will revisit the matter once the season comes to an end.
Los Angeles Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters on a conference call Sunday that contract talks with Gordon will be suspended until the conclusion of the 2019 season.
Obviously this is major news pertaining to when or if we can expect to see Melvin Gordon in a Chargers uniform this season. The two sides had been looking for a trade partner as well, but Gordon was recently allowed to seek his own trade options with the regular season quickly approaching.
Gordon is currently still on his rookie deal and is under contract this season for $5.6 million. At a position as violent as running back, we’ve seen players hold out often to get the contract they want, something Le’Veon Bell did all last season and we’re now seeing it with Gordon and also Cowboys back Ezekiel Elliot.
When healthy and focused, Gordon is one of the premier backs in the NFL. Still, it shouldn’t be surprising that the trade market seems rather thin for his services and the Chargers aren’t willing to budge on an extension. Gordon has dealt with a string of injuries and was largely inefficient before an incredible 2018 campaign that was also cut short.
Now, it’s looking like a certainty the Chargers will take the field Week 1 without their stud running back flanking Philip Rivers. Expect Austin Ekeler to shoulder most of the running back load while second-year man Justin Jackson could see some opportunity as well.
