Melvin Gordon news provides clarity for Broncos at running back
Melvin Gordon and the Denver Broncos have received some positive news in regards to the running back’s legal troubles.
The running back will be cleared of any charges from a previous DUI from 2020.
Originally, Gordon was expected to miss three games due to a suspension from the DUI. Now that the charges have been dropped, the league won’t punish him. However, that doesn’t necessarily stop the team or league from taking action.
This news also means that the Broncos likely will be on the hook for Gordon’s $4.5 million guarantee in 2021. Gordon will also receive $2 million for reporting to training camp, as well as additional roster bonuses, for a grand total of $6.97 million.
After next season, it will be interesting to see if the team decides to bring Melvin Gordon back for another year or move on from him.
Free agency and the draft will say plenty in terms of Gordon’s long-term future with the team.
Before this latest news, there was thought from some people that the Broncos would move on from Gordon. One of the options was that the team would turn over the running back position altogether—allowing Gordon and Phillip Lindsay to leave in free agency (even though Lindsay is scheduled to become a restricted free agent).
Lindsay is expected to receive a tender from the team.
The combination of Gordon and Lindsay seemed to clash to some degree in 2020. It appeared as though offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur didn’t quite figure out how to use both of the running backs at once.
If both of them are going to return to the team, which I think will be the case, I really hope that Shurmur can figure out better game plans to bring out the best in both of them.
The news also does not necessarily put the Broncos out of the running back market in the 2021 NFL Draft. With Lindsay’s status uncertain, it would make sense to add a player at the position at some point.
It just might be later than some people originally expected.