The Los Angeles Chargers are ready to make another run while Phillip Rivers' window of a Super Bowl is still open. That is unless Melvin Gordon doesn't get the contract he desires before the start of the season.
According to Adam Schefter, Gordon has informed the Chargers that he will not report to training camp and he will request a trade if he doesn't receive a new contract. Could this spell the end of Gordon's time with the Chargers?
Right now, Gordon is in the fifth year of his rookie contract and is set to make just $5.6 million in 2019. That is good enough to be the 11th highest-paid running back this season and Gordon believes he deserves better. After all, Gordon has eclipsed 1,300-yards from scrimmage in the past three seasons.
Teams are skeptical of giving running backs lucrative contracts due to their wear and tear in the NFL. Therefore, we could see the four-year running back get traded before the season begins.
So what teams could pick up the phone and try to make a deal with the Chargers? Here are three ideal trade destinations for Melvin Gordon if he demands a move.
3. Miami Dolphins
One team who could be interested in Gordon's services is the Miami Dolphins. Currently, Kenyan Drake is expected to step into the starting role but could form a dynamic duo with Gordon if he was to be acquired.
The Dolphins are desperate to find players to help them win games and new head coach Brian Flores understands how a potent running game can equate to success. After all, Flores was with the New England Patriots last year when they ran the ball ferociously on their way to another Super Bowl win.
Although, in Miami, Flores has Ryan Fitzpatrick and Josh Rosen to rely upon under center—not Tom Brady. Getting a reliable running back like Gordon could ease the pressure off of whoever is under center. Plus, this would allow Drake to be used in receiving situations—which would fit his skill set.
2. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Another Florida-based team could find themselves in the Gordon sweepstakes if the running back is traded. Bruce Arians came out of retirement to become the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. The offensive-minded coach has inherited Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones in the backfield.
Barber has been the lead back for the past couple of seasons but has yet to show the capability to be an every-down back in the NFL. As for Jones, Arians is hoping he can get something out of him after a disappointing 2019 rookie campaign.
Trading for Gordon would instantly solve the problems in Tampa Bay's backfield. This year is also an important one for Jameis Winston, who had his fifth-year option picked up for this season. Winston has to prove to Arians he can be the long-term answer at quarterback.
Giving Winston a steady running game and weapons like Mike Evans, Chris Godwin, O.J. Howard, and Cameron Brate can allow Arians to get a fair assessment on his signal-caller
1. Houston Texans
Everything is bigger in Texas. If Gordon hopes to get paid like a top running back in the NFL, the Houston Texans are an ideal landing spot for the dual-threat back. After all, there is no income tax in Texas (like Florida) so he'd be living tax-free essentially.
The Texans are in win-now mode with Deshaun Watson still playing on his rookie deal. Teams are scrambling to build around young quarterbacks on rookie deals like the Seahawks did a few years ago with Russell Wilson.
In 2016, the Texans signed Lamar Miller in hopes he'd provide the offense with production on the ground and through the air. The Miller experiment hasn't exactly panned out with Miller eclipsing 1,000-yards rushing just once in three seasons.
Houston still has nearly $41 million in cap space remaining and would be able to sign Gordon long-term after trading for him. An offensive trio of Watson, Gordon, and DeAndre Hopkins would be nearly unstoppable.
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