Chargers running back Melvin Gordon has been the main focal point over the past week. Many are wondering what his future looks like as a contract extension for the two-time Pro Bowler is on the line.
We asked fans what they would do and most people want to see Gordon traded. Each person has had their own opinion to the situation, so we decided to take on the task of stating our reasoning for keeping him and letting him go.
Why Gordon deserves to get paid
Gordon has continued to be productive, even with one of the worst offensive lines in the league. The team has solely shifted their offense around him and it has worked immensely.
Gordon posted his best season to date in 2018. Despite missing four games, he still managed to amass 885 rushing yards on 175 rushing attempts (5.1 yards per carry) and 10 rushing touchdowns. He also caught 50 passes for 490 yards and four touchdowns.
One of the things that makes him so impressive is his success against stacked boxes. He had the highest success rate against stacked boxes (62.2%) and highest yards per carry (5.9) in 2018, per Next Gen Stats.
Gordon has played a significant role in the team’s passing game, going from 2.4 catches per game as a rookie to 4.2 last season. Having him as a reliable check down option means quarterback Philip Rivers doesn’t have to force the ball into bad situations downfield as much.
Rivers isn’t getting any younger. He had a great season last year, passing for 4,308 yards and 32 touchdowns with only 12 interceptions.
Sure, Rivers and his other weapons can be counted on to get the job done but Gordon is a dynamic component to the offense, adding an extra spark on the ground, through the air and as an extra pass-blocker.
Los Angeles is coming off of an impressive 12-4 campaign last season and they are hoping to build on that momentum to make a run at their first Super Bowl win in franchise history. Losing Gordon would severely hamper this year’s chances at a Lombardi trophy.
It would be far better to have him on the field than on the sideline or on another roster. If the Bolts genuinely feel that they are the team to beat in 2019, sacrificing some of the future for a better shot at a title this season or next season would be a wise decision.
Why the Chargers should let him walk
It’s uncertain what kind of money Gordon is shooting for, but with the notable accolades under his belt he likely wants to be paid like the other elite backs. Todd Gurley, Le’Veon Bell, and David Johnson each have contracts that average at least $13 million per year.
Is it worth it to pay him that much, though? Production wise, Gordon has progressed on a yearly basis but it has been difficult to keep him on the field when the team needs him late in the season as he’s struggled to stay healthy. If he were consistently injury-free, it’d be easier to make that decision.
The Chargers may have the money to pay Gordon at the moment, but key players like Philip Rivers, Melvin Ingram, Russell Okung, Desmond King, Keenan Allen, and Joey Bosa are all scheduled to become free agents within the next couple years.
Gordon is under contract through the 2019 season and Los Angeles will have the option to franchise him in 2020. It’d be in the team’s best interest to avoid using a good chunk of that money on one player, even if that means they have to see their 2015 first-round selection find his way on another team.
What does it mean for the backfield depth, though? Austin Ekeler was used as their primary back last season when Gordon was out, and he fared very well. Second-year Justin Jackson looked good in his opportunities, too. Los Angeles would also be able to afford a cheap one-year rental in the meantime as well, such as Jay Ajayi.
After the season, they could then develop a long-term plan at the position to fill Gordon’s void.
