Los Angeles Chargers: Melvin Gordon deserves to be paid
By Jason Reed
Shocking reports around Melvin Gordon surfaced on Thursday and now the Los Angeles Chargers are in a situation to pay the star running back.
One of the biggest preliminary storylines surrounding the Los Angeles Chargers entering this season is Melvin Gordon‘s contract. Gordon has just one year left on his deal, and with all of the running back contract drama in the league, fans were already preparing themselves for it.
Gordon decided to accelerate the storyline and make it a storyline on Thursday. It was reported by ESPN’s Adam Schefter that Gordon wants to sign a new contract with the team and if not he will not report to training camp and demand a trade.
This may be shocking for some as Gordon has not shown any signs of displeasure with the team and the idea that he would demand a trade is out of left field. And while the natural fan reaction to this might be outrage, you really cannot blame Gordon for taking a stand.
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Gordon is set to be one of the most underpaid players in the league next season. What he brings to the Los Angeles Chargers is worth far more than the $5.6 million he is set to earn in 2019.
And while there may be a stigma around paying running backs, the Los Angeles Chargers absolutely should come to Gordon on a new contract and pay the man.
First and foremost, Gordon is one of the best backs in the league and arguably has not even hit his peak. He may be overlooked by the majority of the league but Gordon is the engine that drives the Chargers’ offense. Without him, the team just is not the same.
If the Chargers were not a competitive team then it would not make sense to take the gamble on Gordon. However, they have the best roster that they have had since the team went 14-2 in 2006 and owe it to quarterback Philip Rivers to at least contend for a Super Bowl.
Sure, they could be Super Bowl contenders without Gordon with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson, but they would be much better off with Gordon taking the majority of the snaps. Just look at the difference the Los Angeles Rams had when Todd Gurley was out of action.
But that reveals the other side of the argument as well. Gurley’s lingering knee problems might seem like the perfect reason to not offer Gordon a large contract. He might be great now, but he is one serious injury away from significantly falling off.
Factor in that he already has several injuries under his belt and you could make a good case for not offering a new contract to Gordon.
However, while it certainly is a gamble, it is a gamble worth taking. The Chargers still have $10 million in cap space this season and can up Gordon’s 2019 salary to at least eight figures.
From there, the Chargers are primed for a boatload of cap space, just under $40 million to be exact. They have the space to take the gamble on Gordon, especially considering Philip Rivers is not going to get another massive contract if he re-signs or if the team brings in a rookie contract.
Sometimes you have to bite the bullet and pay the players that make the most difference.
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The Los Angeles Chargers are at that crossroads and they cannot afford to mess it up and trade Gordon away for some mid-round pick. It is not often that the Chargers are a Super Bowl contenders.