Melvin Gordon added more discourse Tuesday to the conversation about the value of running backs in today’s NFL.
In July, Gordon signed a one-year, $1.165 million deal with the Ravens. The two-time Pro Bowler is one of several running backs who have spoken about the perceived diminishing value at the position.
The Giants’ Saquon Barkley, Raiders’ Josh Jacobs and Cowboys’ Tony Pollard failed to receive contract extensions this offseason. In addition, Colts running back Jonathan Taylor recently requested a trade, while Bengals’ Joe Mixon and Packers’ Aaron Jones took pay cuts to stay with their franchises.
With the NFL’s current collective bargaining agreement set to run through 2030, Gordon feels that running backs are “kind of screwed.”
“I feel like, for the next couple years,” Gordon said, per Jamison Hensley of ESPN.com. “So, the only thing we could do is just kind of stack it and just ball out. … At the end of the day, the talking and this and that is not going to get anything done. I think we just have to shine in the brightest moments when we get to the playoffs.”
Currently, per the league’s CBA, NFL teams can keep a running back for the duration of his rookie contract, implement the franchise tag on multiple occasions and repeat the process by drafting another player.
The former Wisconsin star only surpassed 1,000 yards once as a pro, dating back to his tenure with the Chargers in 2017. He boasts 6,462 career rushing yards in eight NFL seasons.
While the 30-year-old acknowledged that the NFL has become a “passing league,” he believes a good running back is still a necessity.
“The league is changing … but you still need a great run game,” Gordon said. “Let's not get away from that.”
