Chargers RB Melvin Gordon Expected To Return Midseason/Early November

Jeremy Fowler of ESPN reports that the Chargers are showing “little interest” in trading holdout RB Melvin Gordon.

According to Fowler, Gordon plays to “protect himself” by holding out, but still plans to return to the team later on this season.

“Not a Le’Veon Bell situation,” a source tells Fowler. “He still wants to be a Charger.”

Fowler adds that a midseason/early November return is “looking more likely.”

Last we heard regarding Gordon, Ian Rapoport reported that the plan is for Gordon to report between Week 6 and Week 8, which would ensure he plays enough games to accrue a season toward free agency at the end of the year. 

Per Jason La Canfora, Gordon’s representatives are continuing to seek a trade. However, teams so far have been unwilling to offer the first and a fifth-round pick the Chargers are asking for Gordon. 

Gordon is reportedly seeking a deal worth closer to $13 million per season from the Chargers. The team has refused to move off its offer of $10 million per season and informed Gordon it would cease negotiations until after the 2019 season. 

Gordon, 26, is a former first-round pick out of Wisconsin by the Chargers in the 2015 NFL Draft. He signed a four-year $10.669 million rookie contract that was fully guaranteed and made a base salary of $1,889,967 for the 2018 season.

The Chargers picked up Gordon’s fifth-year option this past May worth $5,605,000 for the 2019 season.

In 2018, Gordon appeared in 12 games for the Chargers and rushed for 885 yards on 175 carries (5.1 YPC) to go along with 50 receptions for 490 yards receiving and 14 total touchdowns. Pro Football Focus has him rated as the No. 7 running back out of 62 qualifying players.

We’ll have more regarding Gordon as the news is available.