Pro Bowl RB Melvin Gordon Plans to Report to Chargers in 2019

Melvin Gordon with the Chargers in 2018
Melvin Gordon with the Chargers in 2018. Photo by Charles Baus/CSM/Shutterstock (10014708ai)

It looks like Los Angeles Chargers’ running back Melvin Gordon doesn’t have an intention to sit out the entire 2019 NFL season after all. According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, Gordon, who is currently holding out in an attempt to get a new contract, intends to report to the team before the end of the year.

After Gordon decided not to join the team before Week 1, many assumed that he will follow Le’Veon Bell’s blueprint and sit out the entire year. ESPN’s source, however, has other information.

“This is not a Le’Veon Bell situation,” – the source told ESPN. “He still wants to be a Charger. But he’s got to protect himself.”

Gordon is entering the final year of his rookie deal, which pays him $5.605 million in 2019. The Chargers reportedly offered him a contract extension worth $10 million per year in the offseason, but the 26-year-old Pro Bowler decided to reject it as he believes he is worth more than that.

After the two sides failed to make any progress in recent months, Chargers even allowed Melvin Gordon and his agent to seek out a trade. The team also decided to stop all the contract negotiations talks until the end of the season.

The word around the league is that Gordon will most likely report to Chargers by Week 10. This way he will get the credit for 2019 season, and be able to hit the free agency in 2020. If he was to sit out the entire year, he won’t get credit for the season, which would delay his free-agent status for a year.

Gordon played only 12 games in 2018, but still managed to put together a productive season. He rushed for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns, while also catching 50 passes for 490 yards and four TDs. 

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