Despite running backs allegedly being more replaceable than ever, the top-of-the-line ball-carriers are still getting paid. And that’s what Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon intends to do.
Gordon has recently made it known – to the Chargers and the general public – that he either wants a new contract with L.A. or he will demand a trade. In the meantime, Gordon doesn’t plan on attending Chargers training camp until one or the other happens, according to ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Unless he has a new deal, Chargers’ RB Melvin Gordon will not report to training camp, not when he currently is scheduled to be heading into the last year of his contract, a fifth-year option, worth $5.6 million dollars.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 11, 2019
Gordon has been one of the most productive running backs in the league over the past few seasons. His current contract – his rookie deal – is set to enter its last season. Under the current pact, Gordon would make a base salary of just over $5.6 million.
Presumably, Gordon and his representatives will seek a deal somewhere in the neighborhood of the recent deals signed by fellow running backs Todd Gurley and Le’Veon Bell.
Gurley re-upped with the Rams and will make an even $15 million in base salary for the 2019 season. Bell, after a much-publicized spat with the Pittsburgh Steelers, sat out all of 2018 before reaching a deal with the New York Jets that will pay him roughly $500 thousand less than Gurley. After those top two, the next highest-paid running back is Devonta Freeman of the Falcons. He will make $8.25 million in Atlanta this season.
In four years with the Chargers, Gordon’s yards-per-carry has either gone up or stayed the same year over year. Gordon missed four games in 2018 but still racked up double-digit touchdowns for the second time of his career and had a personal pro best of 5.1 yards-per-carry, amounting to 885 rushing yards in total.
For his career, Melvin Gordon has 3,628 rushing yards on 897 attempts (for a four-yard average) and 28 rushing touchdowns. He’s also added 182 catches for 1,577 yards and 10 scores.
