Melvin Gordon

By: Lucas Kochevar

        Another Chargers player is in the spotlight on this page and this time it is RB Melvin Gordon. Gordon is the topic of today as he has been holding out for a new contract. Gordon has been vocal about wanting to get paid more before his rookie deal is up. The issue that Gordon has is that he has a history of injuries and the RB position has gotten very replaceable i.e Leveon Bell/James Conner in Pitt. 

         The Chargers are having pause on a deal that would keep Gordon in LA for the future. I do not blame them, however I would pay the man. Gordon has been one of the best backs in football since entering the league. The two-time pro bowler has 3,628 yards rushing  and 28 touchdowns in his four year career. He has shown in multiple ways that he thrives in stretch plays off tackle. Once he gets to the outside he can be a threat to OLB and secondary players. Gordon can run in between the tackles too even if it isn't his strength. He has a very balanced attack running the ball. 
           
           The second reason they should sign him is that he provides another element in the passing game. He has a career number of 1,577 yards including a career-high 490 last season in just 12 games. His versatility is huge in the Chargers offense too. The Chargers feature a lot of short/dump off passes to the RB. They leave it up to their backs to make plays once Phillip Rivers swings it out to them. Rivers only has a number of years left as he is 37 and surrounding him with as much talent as possible should be their strategy to push for a Super Bowl. The only risk they have is if he gets hurt, but that is just a risk you have to take because any player can get hurt any time. Best of luck to Gordon as he looks for his deal.