Former Chiefs running back Melvin Gordon has finally opened up about his departure from the LA Chargers, a move he now regrets. Drafted in the first round of the 2014 NFL Draft, Gordon quickly became one of the top dual-threat running backs, despite not scoring a touchdown in his rookie season.
Gordon’s career unfolded during a pivotal time for NFL running backs, when teams were grappling with whether to offer big contracts after rookie deals. Like Le’Veon Bell and others, Gordon held out for a better contract, missing the first four games of his final season with the Chargers. However, after rejecting a rumored four-year deal, he settled for a two-year, $16 million contract with the Denver Broncos.
Now, four years later and out of the NFL, Gordon admitted on “The Money Down Podcast” that he regrets leaving the Chargers. He revealed that after switching teams, the perks of being a first-round pick vanished, and he had to prove himself more than if he had stayed in LA. While lost earnings may play a role in his regret, Gordon emphasized the challenge of reestablishing himself on new teams.
Melvin Gordon
His candid admission comes after years of poking fun at the Chargers and their fanbase, even taking shots after joining the Kansas City Chiefs and winning a Super Bowl, despite not playing a single snap in the game.
Interestingly, the Chargers ended up benefiting from Gordon’s departure, as they were able to pay Austin Ekeler less while he emerged as one of the NFL’s top running backs. Like Gordon, Ekeler also left the Chargers after a contract dispute and faced similar fan backlash. Perhaps, years down the line, Ekeler will have a similar reflection about his time with the team.
Leave a Reply