Melvin Gordon arrived in Denver during John Elway‘s final offseason as GM. Despite a rocky tenure and the Broncos changing coaching staffs, the former first-round pick is on the radar to stay.
George Paton said this week he would like to retain Gordon, and the ex-Charger confirmed he has spoken with the second-year GM this offseason. Gordon, 29 in April, would prefer to return for a third Broncos season.
“I have been wanting to come back. I would love to win championship in Denver. I made a lot of great relationships with the guys. I feel like we have a really good team. To leave a talented team and go somewhere else would suck,” Gordon said, via Denver7’s Troy Renck. “It’s a job unfinished, and we need to finish the job.
“I talked with George. We spoke on it. He told me he thinks highly of me. I really like the way he runs things and does things.”
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Gordon’s 2020 arrival marginalized Denver native Phillip Lindsay, leading to the latter’s RFA tender being rescinded last year, and his presence minimized Javonte Williams‘ rookie-year role. Gordon was also arrested for DUI in 2020, though the charges were eventually dismissed, and fumbled seven times over the past two seasons — tied for second-most in the NFL in that span.
The Wisconsin alum also topped 900 rushing yards each year, exceeded 4.5 yards per carry in both Denver seasons and totaled 20 touchdowns as a Bronco. His presence almost certainly helped Williams stay fresh in his debut season.
A return likely comes down to Gordon’s market. The Broncos gave him a two-year, $16MM deal previously. Younger free agents like Leonard Fournette, James Conner, Chase Edmonds, Rashaad Penny are also set to hit free agency. While the Broncos running back the Gordon-Williams pairing makes sense to a degree, the team has needs at higher-value spots and is prepared to devote significant funding to a quarterback upgrade. With Courtland Sutton and Tim Patrick now on veteran deals, that also stands to eat into money that could go toward a Gordon return. Third-stringer Mike Boone is also under contract for 2022, on a $2.1MM cap number.
Nah. Sign or draft a cheaper compliment to Williams. Invest the money elsewhere. Like QB.
If the money is right, and Denver already has the necessary space for their quarterback, I think it could be a good move. I thought that Gordon’s original contract was too rich, but overall he played well in Denver.
Williams will need to be the feature back going forward, but having a decent spell who can absorb some of his carries and still be effective will help keep Williams available long term. Gordon won’t be a franchise back in Denver and can handle the workload. If the money is right, bringing him back could be a good move for the Broncos.
Hes 29. Probably going to want a 2 or 3 year deal. Even if they money is right youd get 1 year maybe before he hits the 30 wall. Be better off just drafting a compliment on a rookie contract in 3rd or 4th, younger and cheaper. Let someone else pay Gordon.
New head coach. New system as well.
If the goal is to get Rodgers hes going to want a new contract.
Thing is, you only really need a year of Gordon as a second back, and with Denver possibly using some picks in a QB trade, it would save them from sacrificing another on a running back. Whomever you get will probably not be as productive as he is as a second option. I mean, it’s not like they’d be paying Gordon much.
I could see it going either way, and see arguments for either, I think that they’d be wise to extend a short offer, and leave it up to Gordon to accept.
They always “ want to finish business and win a Championship” and every player is their buddy until some other team offers $1 more and then it is Good Night Charlie.
Definitely under the Elway’s tenure. He was great with minimizing dead money, but often too conservative especially with QB and RB.
Odds are Gordon walks on a 50% haircut unless Rodgers shows up.
Saints could use him in two back system with Alvin Kamara