If you’ve been keeping up with the news around the AFC West, you’ll know that there’s some contract tension brewing in Los Angeles.
Chargers running back Melvin Gordon’s agent has claimed that Gordon will not report to training camp until he’s been given an extension. If the Chargers don’t wish to extend Gordon, he’s asked to be traded. It’s causing serious doubt that Gordon will be with the Chargers in 2019.
Gordon is absolutely right for wanting the financial security of a contract extension, but the Chargers front office is also right in their hesitation to hand him one.
The biggest challenge facing the Chargers is topping Kansas City and winning the AFC West. As it turns out, Gordon hasn’t proven to be a crucial piece in making that happen. As Chiefs fans are very aware, the Chargers hadn’t beaten the Chiefs in nine straight games prior to 2018’s win — a victory that came in the final seconds, on a blown coverage assignment. Because of a knee injury, Gordon didn’t play in that game; instead it was undrafted running back Justin Jackson who filled the role of lead back.
The last win the Chargers had over the Chiefs prior to that one came in 2013 — during Gordon’s sophomore season at Wisconsin.
Over the past four seasons, Gordon has 95 attempts against the Chiefs for 350 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Over his six games played against the Chiefs, he’s averaged under 60 yards per game. It comes out to a yard-per-carry average of around 3.7, which is well below the league standard. Gordon has never topped 100 rushing yards in any game against the Chiefs. Early in 2018, Gordon exceeded 100 yards receiving against a weak Chiefs linebacker corps, but the Chargers didn’t end up winning that game.
On top of the quantifiable struggles, Gordon has had a difficult time in pass protection throughout his career. Gordon’s one saving grace against the Chiefs is that he hasn’t once fumbled against them during his career. He does, however, have 10 career fumbles across his four seasons in the league.
There’s often talk about how running back is one of the most replaceable positions in the NFL. The Chargers would be wise to follow that line of thinking. Gordon’s numbers against the Chiefs have been consistently replacement-level throughout his four-year NFL career. It’s enough to suggest that they might not need him in order to beat the Chiefs.
