Los Angeles Chargers Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon has quickly developed into one of the league's most versatile players at his position. This has seen him pick up a huge role in the Chargers' offensive game plan as one of the primary contributors.
According to Eric D. Williams of ESPN, offensive coordinator Ken Whisenhunt has voiced that Los Angeles plans on using Gordon in a larger role in the passing game.
“We can do some different things because Melvin has become such a good receiver out of the backfield,” Whisenhunt said. “And that's not something that you saw from him in college. Not that he couldn't do it; they just didn't throw him the ball. He was too busy running for 8 million yards or whatever it was he was running for.
“So, yes, that's been a real bonus that we've had. Those two guys [Gordon and Austin Ekeler], and their adaptability and flexibility can help some.”
The 25-year-old had a notable increase in his involvement as a receiver getting a career-high 85 targets where he recorded 58 catches for 476 receiving yards for four touchdowns. This could see another uptick in production in the passing game, especially with Hunter Henry suffering a torn ACL last month in the team's offseason workouts.
Gordon has proven to be a highly valuable asset in the passing game that has provided much-needed stability to the offense while alleviating some of the pressure off Pro Bowl quarterback Philip Rivers to lead the charge with his arm.
He is also coming off his first 1,000 rushing yard campaign of his career that helped him join Hall of Famer LaDainian Tomlinson as the only players in franchise history to record at least 1,400 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in consecutive seasons.
All of this could seemingly set the table for Gordon to put together the best campaign of his career while helping lift the Chargers back into the playoffs for the first time since 2012.
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