JULY 23: CBS Sports’ Josina Anderson reports that the Gordon acquisition does not mean that the Ravens are concerned about Dobbins’ or Edwards’ prognoses (Twitter link). Rather, Anderson says the team simply wanted to add another talented player to the roster and that both Dobbins and Edwards are expected to be at full-speed (though it is worth noting that Dobbins was placed on the PUP list on the same day Gordon was signed). Gordon will at least serve as an experienced insurance policy, and he can handle the bulk of the carries in the preseason should Baltimore wish to continue slow-playing its top two RBs.
JULY 21: The Ravens return all three members of their backfield from last season, but they will be making a veteran addition ahead of training camp. Baltimore has agreed to terms on a one-year deal with Melvin Gordon worth up to $3.1MM, reports ESPN’s Adam Schefter (Twitter link). 
Gordon began the 2022 season in Denver, despite many feeling the presence of Javonte Williams would make the veteran expendable. The latter’s ACL tear helped allow Gordon to appear in 10 contests with the Broncos (including six starts), but he was ultimately waived midseason. That led him to make another intra-AFC West move, joining the Chiefs as a free agent.
The 30-year-old did not feature for Kansas City, however, leading to a lengthy stay on the open market and questions about his playing future. He made it clear last month that he intended to continue his career, though, and this Ravens accord will allow him to once again serve in a rotational capacity. Gordon averaged only 3.5 yards per carry and fumbled five times last season, but he eclipsed 1,100 scrimmage yards during each of his two full campaigns in Denver.
Gordon is unlikely to reach those totals in 2023 in his new home, but he will provide experienced depth to a new-look Ravens offense. Baltimore has former second-round pick J.K. Dobbins atop the RB depth chart, and he will aim to stay healthy and productive during the final year of his rookie contract. Dobbins remained efficient upon his return from a second knee operation late in 2022, but his uncertain future has been a talking point this offseason. Former UDFA Gus Edwards – who, like Dobbins, missed the entire 2021 campaign and part of the past season with a knee injury – remains in place as Baltimore’s backup.
Despite the presence of that pair – along with third-stringer Justice Hill, who inked a two-year deal this offseason – the Ravens have been mentioned as a team to watch on the depth running back market. Baltimore has a number of low-cost options to choose from, as this offseason has continued the trend of veteran backs struggling to find lucrative offers as free agents. Gordon is one of several member of his position who will likely find a training camp gig in the coming days.
Baltimore’s passing attack is expected to take a needed step forward in 2023 with a new offensive coordinator in Todd Monken and a number of new receivers in place, including Odell Beckham Jr. and first-round rookie Zay Flowers. The team’s RB unit will still have a number of contributors, though, a group which now includes Gordon.
Anytime it’s necessary to give the football to the other team – insert MG 3
Mr Butterfingers fumble line is set at 5.5 for the season.
If the Ravens lose RBs to injury the way they have the last couple of years, Melvin should be starting by late September
Fumbled the pen while signing the contract.
Lmao
I thought Gordon had taken a job as police commissioner in Gotham City. Batman & Robin now consider the Ravens to be as fiendish as the Penguin, Joker and Riddler.
Melvin Gordon would have been remembered as a good signing if not for his fumbling. He can still produce yardage, at least he could whilst in Denver. The problem is that he produced it for the other team, too.
Nineteen rushing touchdowns in two plus seasons is not bad, but twelve fumbles certainly is. He had over 200 receiving yards in both of his two first years in Denver as well, scoring a couple of touchdowns, so Gordon can contribute there too. Those turnovers were just killers, especially given the situations in which they occurred (goal lines, in the middle of drives where the offense finally got track, etc). Hopefully for Baltimore Gordon has figured out how to try to alleviate that issue. I’m not sure if it will ever disappear, but it needs to get better to make any signing worth it.
This guy just doesn’t seem like a fit with how the Ravens run the ball.
When Melvin hit SD it was thought ‘a bigger LT’ and he started to show good at RB, then……..fumbles became frequent. He’d have good yardage then stop the offense by losing the ball. Defense key on things like that and get after weakness. It’ll continue if he makes the 53