The Jets will finish their season without their leading rusher. Frank Gore‘s 16th NFL season will end on injured reserve.
While this does not mean much at this point in a 2-13 Jets season, this could certainly be significant for Gore. The NFL’s No. 3 all-time rushing leader — with exactly 16,000 rushing yards — is not signed through the 2021 season and has obviously enjoyed one of the longest careers in the history of the running back position.
Gore sustained a lung contusion in Week 16, which will end a season in which he logged more carries (187) than he has since 2017. The enduring veteran finished with 653 rushing yards and two touchdowns for the Jets, his fifth NFL team. Gore signed with New York to back up Le’Veon Bell, but Bell suffered an early-season injury and was cut soon after returning.
This will only be Gore’s third missed game in the past 10 seasons. He has managed to keep finding landing spots at a position when a third contract is out of the question for most. Gore, who now has a son playing college football, has not indicated if he will try to play at age 38 next season. It is also uncertain if a team would give him an opportunity to return, though the Raiders joined the Jets in pursuing him this offseason.
Gore returning in 2021 would give him an outside shot at a previously unthinkable accomplishment. The five-time Pro Bowler passed Barry Sanders on the career rushing list last season and is now 726 yards away from Walter Payton for second overall. Gore has not hit that yardage number since 2017, however.
3rd leading rusher in history with little fanfare. Is he a HOFer?
no doubt. he’s been destined to get in for years now.
Interesting, because I don’t really see it as “no doubt”. I think it’s a tough call. He’s been very good for a very long time, but has he ever been great? He has never lead the league in any stat. The first comparison that came to mind was Curtis Martin (who is in HOF), but then I looked at their stats and Curtis was great in several seasons, so I don’t really know who else to compare Gore to. Anyone have any good comparisons?
He’s definitely been a gradual accumulator. Only three seasons over 1200 yards rushing, only one over 1300. Normally top running backs have higher peaks and faster declines. Thurman Thomas was another HOF guy who was a star early, then held on as a role player for a while, but they aren’t that similar.
Maybe Bettis is a good comp? Only 4 seasons over 1400 yards, similar running styles, HOFer.
I guess I could see that. I’m distracted by remembering Bettis and how aesthetically different he was.
A tough call? He is the 3rd leading rusher of all time…there is absolutely no doubt that he will be a first ballot HOFer. And if he keeps playing he will be #2 on that list
Of course he is a first ballot hall of Famer. No brainer.
A sad end to a great career. I reaped a lot of fantasy points from Frank in his prime. Mr Touchdown
The certainties of life are Death, Taxes and another season of Gore.
Give me life, liberty, and Frank Gore.
Wait… Who said his career has come to an end?
If this is it, thank you for a great career! It’s crazy that he got injured when notching his 16,000th yard! He’s averaged exactly 1,000 yards per season. If he doesn’t attempt to return, I could see him being an RB coach somewhere.