Melvin Gordon shockingly named starter after Monday benching
Despite a rough week in which we saw the Denver Broncos use Mike Boone and Latavius Murray more against the Los Angeles Chargers, it appears Melvin Gordon has at least partially mended his relationship with the team.
Per head coach Nathaniel Hackett, the team plans on starting Gordon on Sunday against the New York Jets.
Against the Chargers, Gordon saw the field for just nine total snaps. He saw three carries for eight yards while Murray carried the load with 15 carries for 44 yards.
Gordon recently expressed his feelings by way of liked tweets on Twitter following the loss on Monday Night Football. Following that, he spoke with Nathaniel Hackett and it appears the two sides have cleared the air and know where each other stands in terms of their relationship.
Gordon liked tweets regarding topics ranging from the possibility of being traded to straight-up just wondering why the Broncos are doing him dirty. Unfortunately, it’s quite simple: if Gordon was better at holding onto the football, he probably would have been in the game. Although, Hackett said that the team did not “have enough plays” for Gordon, which really makes absolutely no sense.
Now, Gordon will have a chance at redeeming himself following a tough start to the season. The Broncos have played six games and Gordon has four fumbles during that period of time. Something has to give.
I personally think the team should involve Murray more but having multiple running backs take the field is important in the NFL.
But for now, the Broncos appear to be okay with Melvin Gordon starting for them.
Will Melvin Gordon play for the Denver Broncos in 2023?
That question remains to be seen. Gordon is signed through just the 2022 season after re-signing as a free agent this past offseason. The Broncos will definitely have to explore other options in free agency and/or the 2023 NFL Draft.
Gordon had thought that there was going to be a chance that he would be traded by the Broncos before the trade deadline. That does not appear to be the case anymore. Sometimes, all it takes is a conversation to fix things.
Gordon turns 30 years old next year, so conversations about his replacement on the roster can still be talked about. It also would not be surprising if Murray isn’t re-signed in the offseason as he is 32 years old.
If Gordon can prove that his fumbling days are behind him, he could absolutely be back with the team. I think that is the biggest concern going forward.
Whatever the Broncos do at running back, they need to find the right player to hold down the fort while Javonte Williams recovers from his torn ACL and could miss the start of the 2023 season.