The Oct. 29 trade deadline is quickly approaching, and the Chargers have yet to make a single move. The team should look to be sellers by shipping off the lone player who’s gotten the majority of the attention the past few months: running back Melvin Gordon.
Since his return after his extended holdout due to a contract dispute, Gordon hasn’t done a single thing to contribute to the team and show that he’s worth $13 million annually, which is what he is seeking.
He has rushed for only 81 yards and is averaging 2.25 yards per carry. When he had the opportunity to become the hero and score the game-winning touchdown against the Titans in Week 7, he fumbled the ball away.
It’s evident that Austin Ekeler is the more efficient running back on the team. Before Gordon’s return, Ekeler had 490 yards from scrimmage and six touchdowns. His production has been hindered since Gordon came back.
During his holdout, the franchise granted him and his representatives the full go to seek a trade. There weren’t many offers for the former Wisconsin product, but the Eagles offered RB Jordan Howard and a swap of mid-round draft picks, as well as the Chargers eating some of Gordon’s salary, according to Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated.
Gordon doesn’t look like a hot trade target right now based on his 2019 production, but knowing he’s young and has posted 5,205 yards from scrimmage in his first four seasons, it should surely attract a team that believes he’s capable of becoming their long-term bell-cow running back.
The likelihood of the Bolts bringing back Gordon after this season is slim, knowing they will have other notable players to pay this offseason, so why not get rid of him now?
The Chargers could benefit from an additional offensive lineman and a mid-round draft selection. Plus, they’d get rid of a player that has been holding the offense back and is no longer needed.
Teams that could be interested in Gordon include the Bears, Bills, Dolphins and Lions.
