Melvin Gordon did not report to the Los Angeles Chargers in time to play in their Week 1 game against the Indianapolis Colts, and that theme is expected to continue for several more weeks.
Assuming the Chargers don’t cave and sign him to a long-term extension, Gordon is expected to continue his holdout until at least Week 6 and possibly as late as Week 8, Ian Rapoport of NFL Media reports.
Gordon’s situation has been compared to Le’Veon Bell’s from a year ago, but the circumstances are much different. Bell was never actually under contract with the Pittsburgh Steelers in 2018 because he did not sign his franchise tender. Gordon is on the books for $5.6 million in the final year of his rookie contract, and he has to show up by Week 10 at the latest to prevent the contract from tolling and make him eligible for free agency next offseason.
The Chargers can request a roster exemption of up to three weeks when Gordon returns and sit him during that time, so he may have to factor that into his holdout. That means Gordon would have to show up by Week 7 to guarantee he will be on the active roster by Week 10, thus allowing him to play in the eight games he will need to prevent his contract from tolling.
Gordon, who rushed for 885 yards and 10 touchdowns last season in just 12 games, has been given permission to seek a trade. At least one team has made the Chargers an offer, but there has been no indication that any deal is close.
