Denver Broncos: 5 players who won’t be back with team in 2022

Denver Broncos, QB Teddy Bridgewater. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Denver Broncos, QB Teddy Bridgewater. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 10, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon (25) runs the ball against the Pittsburgh Steelers during the first quarter at Heinz Field. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

Melvin Gordon, Running back

Melvin Gordon is a player the Broncos seem insistent on using, even though rookie Javonte Williams appears to be the better back.

Gordon is in the second year of his two-year deal with the team and unless he was just outstanding, two years was all he was ever going to get. He hasn’t been outstanding, but rather very mediocre.

The former first-round pick will be 29 years old next year and could still have some gas left in the tank, but he doesn’t seem like a player the Broncos should waste any more time with unless he is willing to take a very reduced role in the offense.

Williams should be the starter sooner rather than later and the Broncos can add another running back or two in the stable behind him. But Williams has the kind of power, burst and speed you want to see a young running back run with and he has shown much more promise in the backfield this year than Gordon.

Still, offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur seems to like to call Gordon’s number more often, which is one of the many reasons you could add Shurmur to this list as well.