Melvin Gordon's Agent Says There's a 'Strong Possibility' He Could Hold Out into Regular Season
By Brendan Azoff
It was revealed on Thursday morning Melvin Gordon will be holding out in hopes of receiving a new contract from the Los Angeles Chargers, and apparently that hold out could last into the season.
Melvin Gordon’s agent, Damarius Bilbo, tells me there’s a “strong possibility” Gordon could sit out into the regular season, absent a new, market-value deal with #Chargers. “But we want to focus on getting something done before training camp. There’s a long way to go to Week 1.”
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) July 11, 2019
This is not good news for the Chargers, who are a much more lethal team with Gordon on the field. Austin Ekeler may be capable of holding the fort down while Gordon holds out, but the Chargers would much rather have their All-Pro back taking the bulk of the handoffs from Philip Rivers.
Melvin Gordon is the only running back in the NFL to earn an 80.0-plus grade when carrying the football against a defense with eight or more men in the box.https://t.co/DnjF3mBDVO pic.twitter.com/HnR2E3owii
— PFF (@PFF) July 11, 2019
Los Angeles must come to terms with Gordon before the season starts, as his ability to run the football against defenses that attempt to stack the box is far superior to anyone in the NFL.
A hold out would be bad for the league as well as the Chargers, as losing another year of a dynamic running back is not good for ratings. As for the Chargers, why they would not extend Gordon is dumfounding, but for now, the running back has made it clear he means business.