Melvin Gordon is intent on staying away from the Los Angeles Chargers as long as possible if the team does not sign him to a long-term contract extension, and he seems quite serious about missing regular season games should it come to that.
Gordon’s agent said earlier this month that not reporting by Week 1 is a possibility, and ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler reported on Tuesday that the star running back could sit out until midseason.
RB Melvin Gordon has considered all options with holdout, including possibly staying away until midseason, as I reported on @GetUpESPN. Fluid situation, but top RB market is $13M+ and Chargers aren’t close. Would need to avoid contract tolling.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) July 30, 2019
The situation sounds similar to the one with Le’Veon Bell in Pittsburgh a year ago. However, Bell never signed his franchise tender and was never under contract with the Steelers, whereas Gordon still has a year remaining on his rookie deal. If he sat out the entire season his contract would simply toll, so that is not an option.
The Chargers seem like they are willing to call Gordon’s bluff, but they may be taking a big gamble with a player who racked up 1,375 total yards and 14 touchdowns in just 12 games last season. Gordon doesn’t have leverage in the sense that he is under contract, but having him on the field would make it a lot easier for LA to contend in the NFC West.
