Subscribe
Follow Us
The controversial Los Angeles Chargers tenure for Pro Bowl running back Melvin Gordon could be coming to a close, as a new report signals the five-year veteran rusher intends to become a free agent and test his market value over staying with L.A.
Per ESPN's Josina Anderson, Gordon, 26, will “test the market” this spring in free agency.
I'm told #Chargers RB Melvin Gordon is expected to test the market, per source.
— JosinaAnderson (@JosinaAnderson) March 5, 2020
Gordon made a point last offseason to hold out for a new contract, with the Chargers missing out the two-time Pro-Bowler for the entirety of preseason, training camp, and the first four games of the regular season.
Gordon returned in 2019, appearing in 12 games and recording 612 rushing yards on 162 carries, scoring eight touchdowns along with catching 42 receptions for 296 receiving yards.
Article Continues Below
While Gordon sat out, the Chargers saw carries in the backfield split between emerging rusher Austin Ekeler along with Justin Jackson. Ekeler totaled 557 yards on the ground and Jackson added another 200.
Earlier last week, Chargers head coach Anthony Lynn told ProFootballTalk how he'd “love” for Gordon to return to the AFC West franchise.
“I do believe that,” Lynn said when asked if he thought Gordon could return. “We love Melvin. He’s outstanding. He held out last year, that hurt us a little bit, but when he came back his attitude and the way he fit right back into the locker room was typical Melvin. We’d like to have him back, but it’s free agency and you never know what’s going to happen.”
At the same time, however, Gordon appears on reaching a deal for a new expensive contract, and although it's not final, the fact that he held out and saw no agreement finalized with L.A. last fall, it could portend to a split between the two parties in 2020.
