Supply: Gordon holdout not a ‘Le’Veon’ state of affairs
Working again Melvin Gordon doesn’t imagine the Los Angeles Chargers are buying and selling him and can proceed his holdout to “defend himself,” however he’ll report back to the workforce in 2019, a supply instructed ESPN.
“This isn’t a Le’Veon Bell state of affairs,” the supply stated. “He nonetheless desires to be a Charger. However he is obtained to guard himself.”
The idea is the Chargers have proven little-to-no flexibility in shifting off a excessive asking worth to facilitate a commerce, the supply stated.
After Gordon didn’t report back to coaching camp in hopes of a brand new contract, the Chargers by no means got here near his asking worth and shut down any hopes for an extension as soon as the common season started.
Gordon’s agent, Damarius Bilbo, instructed ESPN’s Josina Anderson in early August that he requested the Chargers commerce his shopper after the workforce remained at its preliminary supply of roughly $10 million per season. Gordon’s fifth-year possibility was set to pay $5.605 million in 2019.
ESPN additionally reported in August that Gordon was contemplating sitting out till midseason, returning in time to accrue an NFL season towards free company. That seems to be the play right here. The highest of the operating again market begins at round $13 million per yr, and discussions about bridging the hole with incentives did not work.
Gordon has subjected himself to fines throughout his absence.
Chargers quarterback Philip Rivers stated he was “pulling for” Gordon however has to progress with the workforce’s present offense, which put up 435 yards in a 30-24 win over the Indianapolis Colts on Sunday.
Gordon has made two Professional Bowls because the Chargers drafted him 15th total in 2015. His 28 dashing touchdowns over the previous three years tied for the league lead with Dallas Cowboys again Ezekiel Elliott, who held out within the preseason earlier than signing a six-year, $90 million extension.
In 12 video games final yr, Gordon recorded 885 dashing yards on 175 carries (5.1 yards per carry) together with 14 complete touchdowns (10 dashing) and 50 receptions for 490 yards.
Bell, now with the New York Jets, sat out all the 2018 season slightly than play for the Pittsburgh Steelers beneath the franchise tag.