Whether he’s traded or decides to play, one thing is certain, the Los Angeles Chargers are finished negotiating with Melvin Gordon. Such is the ultimatum put forth by general manager Tom Telesco, who informed reporters via a conference call that he’s suspending all talks with the Pro Bowl running back until the season is over.
The Chargers have already given Gordon permission to seek a trade.
Gordon is currently under contract with Los Angeles due to his fifth-year option. He’s due to make $5.6 million this year and wants a significant pay raise. The Chargers reportedly offered him $10 million a year, but that didn’t meet his demands.
Chargers’ GM Tom Telesco said on a conference call today that any contact extension talks with holdout RB Melvin Gordon will be postponed until after the season.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) September 1, 2019
Honestly, it’s unlikely any other team will, even in a trade scenario. Regardless of how productive Gordon has been, not everybody is getting paid like Le’Veon Bell or Todd Gurley. Ezekiel Elliott has some pull in his dealings with the Dallas Cowboys. Gordon has significantly less with the Chargers.
As for a trade, the market for a $13 million back just doesn’t seem to be there. In the AFC, every team is pretty much set at RB except the Indianapolis Colts and Houston Texans, and that’s because Lamar Miller’s injury.
In the NFC, you’d have to find a team with the cap room that wants to spend it on a runner. The Philadelphia Eagles could really use Gordon, but they’ve got to protect themselves with their cap. Same for the Green Bay Packers.
Gordon may wish he’d just taken the $10 million before it’s over.
Seahawks re-sign Geno Smith
Geno Smith played the odds and won. A day after the Seattle Seahawks cut their only remaining back up quarterback, they brought him back, signing him again to an undisclosed contract, but one that’s likely just for the 2019 season.
The Seahawks have re-signed QB Geno Smith. #Seahawks pic.twitter.com/INZ2HacBnU
— SeahawksUnited (@SeahawksUnited_) September 1, 2019
Smith beat out former Denver Broncos first round pick Paxton Lynch and Ohio State’s J.T. Barrett for the gig, but was apparently “cut” because Seattle needed the open roster spot to officially complete the Jadeveon Clowney trade.
