The Los Angeles Chargers have officially picked up the fifth-year option on running back Melvin Gordon, ESPN’s Field Yates reports.
Source: the Chargers have officially exercised the 2019 fifth-year option on RB Melvin Gordon.
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) May 2, 2018
Chargers general manager Tom Telesco had previously indicated last week that the team would indeed exercise that option, and they have now followed through with that statement. Gordon, who will be making nearly $1.9 million in 2018, is scheduled to make $5.6 million during his option year in 2019.
The 25-year-old Gordon was the Chargers’ 15th overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. After a somewhat underwhelming rookie year, Gordon has since transformed into one of the most reliable all-purpose backs in the entire league.
Gordon is coming off back-to-back years with at least 1,400 yards from scrimmage and 12 total touchdowns. After barely missing the 1,000-rushing yard plateau in 2016, he breezed past it with 1,105 yards last year, which was good for seventh in the league. He also finished second on the team with 58 catches and was tied for the second-most receiving touchdowns with four.
Gordon is once again expected to be a major piece of the Chargers’ rushing offense, which doesn’t feature another established back behind him. Austin Ekeler had 47 carries last season, which was a distant second to Gordon’s 284. The Chargers did pick up a rookie running back in Justin Jackson, but they waited until the seventh round to do so.
After exercising Gordon’s option, which was a no-brainer on their part, the Chargers will next need to start planning a long-term deal for their star back. He’s one of the most exciting young backs in the league, and they should lock him up as soon as possible.
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