With the Broncos having made Melvin Gordon the NFL’s sixth-highest-paid running back, Phillip Lindsay looks set to make the unusual transition from back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher to complementary back.
John Elway discussed the prospect of a Lindsay extension at the end of last season but said before the Gordon signing that such a deal was a back-burner issue. Now that Gordon is making $8MM per year through 2021, Lindsay stands in a strange position. But the Broncos have not ruled out a Lindsay re-up, Troy Renck of Denver7 notes (on Twitter). The Broncos hold more than $29MM in cap space.
Lindsay is set to make just $750K in 2020, the third year of his UDFA contract. He will be eligible for restricted free agency in 2021. With only one team (the Texans) presently paying more than one running back at a rate north of $3.5MM per year, this situation will be one to monitor. While the soon-to-be 27-year-old Gordon has proven to be the superior receiver, the ex-Chargers first-rounder is 1-for-5 in 1,000-yard rushing seasons.
“I feel like I’ve outplayed my contract, and I deserve to take care of my family, too,’’ Lindsay told 9News’ Mike Klis. “But I’m under contract still. For me, my mindset is to play out my contract. The fact is, nothing has to be done. You can’t make anybody do something they don’t want to do. And so for me, I put pen to paper; I’ll be here.
“I love the game of football, and I love being out here. I never look at money. Money is going to come when it comes. But I was a top-five running back (in 2018) and top 15 this year so I feel like I am outplaying my contract, but at the end of the day, I’ll continue to play with the contract they gave me.”
Lindsay, 25, is the first UDFA in NFL history to start his career with consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Although the 2018 draft class is not yet eligible for extensions, Lindsay is because of his undrafted status. Considering the narrow windows running backs have to cash in, it will be important for the Colorado alum to do so in the near future. He will enter the 2020 season as the Broncos’ third-highest-paid running back — behind Gordon and Royce Freeman.
John Elway spoke to Lindsay’s agent after the Gordon signing, Klis adds, noting the GM indicated his desire for the Broncos to carry two quality running backs. Freeman has underwhelmed since coming to Denver as a third-round pick. Lindsay also confirmed he has no desire to be traded.
John always is a snake, he did the same thing with Derek Wolfe too. Hopefully Lindsey leaves and gets paid.
It’s a business, not a social club.
There is a difference between good business and bad business. They couldve signed Lindsey for half of what they paid Melvin Gordon because of the leverage they had (still under contract for cheap) and send a message that production equals pay. Right now every Bronco is going to set their sights on other teams for future contracts.
I’m also of the opinion that it’s extremely important to put out the message that performance will be rewarded. Many owners just don’t get how quickly they kill team morale by not extending respect to players that do the heavy lifting. Hopefully the Broncos see the wisdom in doing good business and give Lindsey a pay raise he has earned.
Not a snake trying to put the best team on the field. Loyalty wins respect but not games
And Lindsey will produce better than Gordon….
John “Exotic” Elway is more like it.
I don’t get why the broncos hate Phillip Lindsay. All he has done is produce. Two years both over 1,000 yards he can catch the ball out of the backfield and also is quality in short yardage even though he is small. It’s like Elway will never think he is good because he was undrafted. Makes no sense
diminish his value in order to resign to team friendly deal I assume is Elways plan
lol yeah like Lindsay is just gonna say yeah ok Elway I suck so I’ll take your lowball offer after you just gave Gordon all that money. Lindsay won’t get another contract in Denver
Elway sucks as a GM. So many more important holes to fill than RB. And now he’s going to end up screwing over the hometown hero to save some money. If I were a Bronco fan, or a citizen of Colorado I’d be extremely upset.
What if they did sign him to a big contract? You’ll have the highest paid backfield in the league and it could be worth it.
Not with Garrett Bolles doing the blocking. Replacing Bolles is where the Broncos should be allocating their resources. He’s the worst lineman in the NFL.
Lindsay should leave
he’ll honor his current contract then leave; good for him
Can’t really blame Elway for getting top value at his current salary; but if it’s a business for the owners/front office then don’t get sand up your crevice if it’s a business to players
Signing Gordon just another bone headed move in a series of those made by Elway the last 3 years.
Agreed Elway is not doing a good job!!!!!
My favorite line from all athletes…..I deserved to be paid….umm you are getting paid. If you feel you want more money, play on a shorter contract and then re-up every year or two….then you can get what you feel you are worth.
Unfortunately for NFL players, they can’t even attempt to negotiate their value in an open market until their 5th season (if the team doesn’t exercise the option year on the rookie contract). As the average NFL career also lasts about 5 years, a player actually has to beat the odds on longevity before he can do any negotiating for a better deal.
Only an option year for first rounders.
Everyone is jumping the gun. Nobody said they hate Lindsey. Nobody said he won’t get paid. Nobody said he’s not the starter. This has all been media driven off of speculation. These days you need two solid running backs and that’s all Denver did. Just wait and see how it plays out. It’s not like he’s a veteran and they just signed a younger player at his position. They just added more power. Why is that such a bad thing? Lindsey knows he will get paid so sit back and enjoy a really good one two punch.