Melvin Gordon is no longer with the team that drafted him, and he is looking forward to a fresh start with his new team.
In an appearance this week on “Rapsheet and Friends” with NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, the two-time Pro Bowl running back shared what he likes about the Denver Broncos’ offense compared to that of the Chargers.
“It really didn’t play out to my strengths, especially the first couple years there,” said Gordon of the Chargers’ scheme, per NFL.com’s Kevin Patra. “I kind of just had to adjust and make it work. It kind of wasn’t a system built for me. But I feel like Denver kinda runs my style of football, and I think it’s a great fit.
“They run a lot of inside zones, and that’s what I did a lot at Wisconsin,” added Gordon, who signed a two-year deal with the Broncos in March. “It’s going to really help me get back in the feel of what I do best. I’m an inside-zone runner.”
Gordon, who spent his first five NFL seasons with the Chargers, was able to succeed in their offense to an extent, topping double-digit touchdowns with them twice and 1,000 yards rushing once. But especially under head coach Anthony Lynn, the Chargers have been more of an outside-zone team that minimized some of the skills of Gordon as a downhill runner.
While winning the starting job for Denver won’t be a cakewalk by any means, Gordon clearly feels that he will have a better chance to thrive in the Broncos’ scheme under new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur.
