Los Angeles Chargers are just as affected by Todd Gurley’s knee problems

Todd Gurley’s ongoing knee problems are an issue for the Los Angeles Rams but are also affecting the Los Angeles Chargers more than you would think.

The Los Angeles Rams have arguably the best running back in the NFL in Todd Gurley. In the same draft that Gurley was selected by the Rams, the Los Angeles Chargers also selected Melvin Gordon in the first round.

The two running backs have been connected throughout their careers ever since because of this relation, although Gordon has not yet his that mountaintop that Gurley has. Although Gordon is elite and arguably a top-five running back when healthy, Gurley right now is the cream of the crop.

That is what netted Gurley a four-year, $57.5 million contract extension with the Los Angeles Rams, which is more than Le’Veon Bell received from the New York Jets.

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That contract is already starting to look negative because of Gurley’s knee issues. He was sidelined throughout the NFL Playoffs for most of the action in favor of C.J. Anderson and was seen recently limping outside of a Los Angeles restaurant.

While it being an actual issue only applies to the Rams, it also is affecting the crosstown Los Angeles Chargers with Gordon.

Gordon is set for the last year of his contract and it is time for the Chargers to decide whether or not the team wants to extend him long-term or go a different direction. Knowing how the NFL works, they will probably try and franchise tag him, making it a year-by-year thing so they do not have to commit long-term.

If anything, this Gurley news has made that route much more likely than extending Gordon. This has proven that no matter how good you are, the human body is the human body and running backs only have so many miles on those legs.

If something starts going wrong, like a knee, it can be detrimental to a running back’s career. It does not help that Gordon himself has quite the injury past and has given no reason to believe he can be completely healthy in the long-term.

The Chargers also know that they can find a quality running back for cheap. Austin Ekeler has really emerged as a great back in his two years in the league and he was undrafted.

Rookie Justin Jackson burst onto the scene while Gordon was hurt last year and was the 251st pick in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Gordon certainly is more talented than those two and does help the offense get going, which makes the case easier for Gordon. You can tell by the rest of the offense when Gordon is and isn’t on the field.

Is that enough for the Chargers to commit and give him a big contract? Probably not. He won’t get what Bell nor Gurley got anyways but would still receive something for four-years in the $45-48 million range.

At least the Los Angeles Chargers get to watch this play out and make the decision from there. That is much better than getting burned from the contract yourself.