Melvin Gordon holdout: How did we get here, update the trade negotiations at the exit of a team, what does it mean for fantasy, the game



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Lost in the shadow of Ezekiel Elliott high-profile standout with the Dallas Cowboys, the Melvin Gordon case of the Los Angeles Chargers. While the Elliott holdup will likely come to a conclusion soonthe same can not be said of Gordon.

Gordon announced in July that he was looking for a new contract, an increase of $ 5.6 million that he was receiving in 2019. If Gordon does not realize his wish, he wants to be exchanged shippers – a request that he would have made. Unlike the Cowboys, the Super Bowl hopes of the Chargers do not depend on Gordon (though they improve if he is on the football pitch rather than coaching elsewhere).

The Chargers and Gordon appear to be deadlocked in contract negotiations, and as Jason La Canfora, an NFL insider at CBS Sports, reports, the reserve should last until the regular season. NFL's Ian Network Rapoport added later Saturday that Gordon was allowed to search for a business.

During a conference call on Sunday, Los Angeles general manager Tom Telesco reiterated that the extension talks with Gordon, who is currently awaiting a new contract, will be announced. suspended until after the season.

The Chargers seem willing to resort to a recurring committee approach with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson. While the chargers are taking a risk with Ekeler, they would like to know if the former free agent unmanipulated can handle regular snaps like the No.1 in reverse.

Not to mention that chargers could add an outdoor option at a much cheaper rate, someone like LeSean McCoy, who was released by the Buffalo Bills on Saturday. McCoy is able to handle the No. 1 semifinal races, making Ekeler more effective as a change of pace, as he has been in the past two seasons.

Gordon, 26, has been a touchdown in the last three years, double the number of double-digit touchdowns and totaling 28 in total over this period. Gordon has only a 1,000-yard season in this stretch due to seven missed games, but he has also accumulated at least 400 yards in each of his last three seasons. Gordon has averaged 4.0 yards per race in his career, surpassing the mark of 4.0 once in four seasons (5.1 last year).

We begin by asking the following question: how did Gordon and the Chargers get to this point?

The shippers made an offer to Gordon, but she rejected it.

Los Angeles is committed to paying Gordon, which would be greater than the $ 8.25 million a year generated by the Atlanta Falcons' offensive midfielder, and lower than the $ 13 million per season that David Johnson receives. of the Cardinals of Arizona. The top three half-payers are, in the order, Todd Gurley (Los Angeles Rams, $ 14.375 million per year), the 'Veon Bell (New York Jets, $ 13.125 million) and Johnson ($ 13 million). After these three games, Freeman is fourth … demonstrating the significant decline in pay after the league's top three defensemen. Gordon would rank somewhere in the middle and rank fourth among the highest paid players in football, but contracts of this type have risen in recent years.

It's hard to blame Gordon for asking for more than $ 13 million a year when Bell and Gurley recently signed contracts in excess of that amount. Gurley earned $ 45 million guaranteed, but this figure is not practical. $ 27 million guaranteed for Bell after spending a season is what Gordon is probably looking for as he looks after his financial future after signing his second contract.

Gordon has at least some leverage

Gordon is ready to extend his career until the end of the season. The reason is simple: if the Chargers are fighting to leave him, Gordon has a lot more ways to get the contract he wants. The first four games in Los Angeles are opposed to the Indianapolis Colts, Detroit Lions, Houston Texans and Miami Dolphins. Three of these teams ranked among the top 10 defenses of last year. They could definitely use Gordon in these games.

Unlike Ezekiel Elliott, Gordon is his fifth-year choice as a first-round pick from 2015. He has already accumulated four years of service, so he'll be eligible for agent status. free after the season, regardless of the duration of his duties. outside. The Chargers will have no value comparable to Gordon's if they trade it. So they call Gordon bluff and bet on victory while he is away. Gordon is costing himself as a freelance player by taking the shot but sparing his legs for his second contract. For a player with a history of injury like Gordon, sitting down can be beneficial.

Why loaders do not pay Gordon what he's looking for

The Chargers have compiled a talented team in recent years, giving quarterback Philip Rivers his best training since the late 2000s, while the Chargers finished 14-2 and were # 1 seed of the year. 39, AFC (2006) and reached the AFC championship. Game (2007). While it's beneficial for Rivers to bring in Gordon, Rivers is also a free agent after this year. Shippers must develop a contract extension with Rivers.

Not only must Rivers have an agreement, but the Chargers must also enter into agreements with Keenan Allen and Joey Bosa over the next few years. Melvin Ingram is also a free agent after the 2021 season. The Chargers must therefore monitor their salary cap … That 's why the Gordon bid is probably about $ 10 million a year. It's time Gordon gets paid, but the Chargers must also think about their other stars.

Not to mention the fact that it probably does not help that Rivers has already been registered, stating that even if the Chargers like Gordon, they will go with what they've … "a nice group" behind him.

Chargers give Gordon the opportunity to seek an exchange

On August 31, as the 2019 regular season began to flow, the Chargers allowed Gordon's agent to seek an exchange, according to Ian Rapoport. This was the Chargers' first major brass piece, which hinted that the teams could be so far apart that Los Angeles has already advanced with an alignment plan that does not appeal to its first-round pick.

Anonymous team participates in trade negotiations

According to Josina Anderson of ESPN, An anonymous team has been in preliminary communication with the Chargers in order to check a potential exchange for Gordon. There has been no other update on who this team could be and whether the commercial discussions have materialized further. It's possible that they ended the minute, said the team heard exactly what shippers are looking for as business compensation. Speaking of compensation …

Commercial demands of shippers would be severe

According to a source close to Pro Football Talk, the Chargers and General Manager Tom Telesco would be looking for a first-round and fifth-round pick in exchange for Gordon. Any team acquiring Gordon will also need to allocate much of their current and future salary cap space to re-sign the contract back to a long-term contract.

The shippers put an end to their talks until the end of the 2019 season

Just hours after giving Gordon's side the opportunity to seek an exchange, Chargers general manager Tom Telesco informed the half-sideline that the team would end the contract negotiations until the match was over. the end of the season. via Daniel Popper. This severely limits Gordon's options. The offensive midfielder may choose to accept the offer on the table – if it is still present – to sign a long-term deal with Los Angeles. If he's still looking for a better deal, Gordon can stay in the regular season and miss games. The ball is now in his camp. That's his decision to make.

Gordon will lose his $ 330,000 weekly check for every game played in the regular season. It is important to note that his situation is different from that of The Vein Bell in 2018. Although Gordon may choose not to risk long-term injury – having an impact on a future contract – holding on – he can not miss the whole scene. season. Gordon is expected to travel to Los Angeles before the 10th week for this season to be considered for his status as a free agent. If it does not show up before that date, the shippers will have an extra year of team control on the half run.

Where are things going from here; what shippers have the intention to do

Bottom line: Gordon and the shippers are at a dead end. Gordon has seen the lucrative offers that Gurley and Bell have received over the past year and also wants a piece of the pie. he's waiting to see what Elliott gets from the Cowboys and how the market changes (again) because of the setbacks, which gives him the opportunity to win even more than the Chargers have offered him. Elliott's support with the Cowboys hurts the Chargers to have Gordon with the team for the regular season, as he will wait until this deal is complete (whenever it will be). Gordon is far from Elliott's level, and he will not be paid even if what he's going to do. He can certainly try to increase his market and his contract requirements, but in the end, he will end up earning more than Freeman and less than Bell … at least among the Chargers.

The Chargers are ready to move to 2017 unassigned Austin Ekeler, who is expecting more shots and has been a great change from Gordon over the past two years. Ekeler has averaged 5.3 yards per race over the course of his career, totaling 106 runs for 554 yards and three touchdowns in 2018. Ekeler started three games in Gordon's place (injury) but has amassed 40 runs for 129 yards. and one touchdown (3.3 yards per carry). Ekeler is not the same player as number 1, but the Chargers are ready to leave him more work than a sample of three games.

The Chargers will join Ekeler with Justin Jackson, the seventh-round pick of 2018 totaling 50 carries for 206 yards and two touchdowns, the No. 3 supporting his rookie season. Jackson has been consistent this pre-season as No. 2 back, creating a back-by-committee for Los Angeles. The Chargers only have to pay Ekeler and Jackson a combined $ 1.215 million, which will remove significant leverage for Gordon if they realize.

Recently, Chargers General Manager Tom Telesco admitted there is currently no solution ending Gordon's campaign – and that did not look promising.

Teams that could trade against Gordon

Put on the General Manager's hat for a second. Why would the Chargers exchange Gordon for one dollar coins while they have the entire 2019 season to negotiate with him in the hope of reaching an agreement. This does not include the off-season, where they have exclusive trading rights with Gordon until the month of March.

But if the Chargers decide that Gordon is not worth the money or if they find themselves in a dead end and can not sign Gordon's long team, they test the market and see what they can get for Gordon. Los Angeles must look for at least a third-round pick for Gordon since that's what the Texans traded against Duke Johnson in August.

Ironically, the Texans lost Lamar Miller for Season 3 of the pre-season and are a team that could use Gordon's services. Houston says it's okay with the current back group, but Gordon improves the Texans. About a month ago, the Texans were linked to Gordon in a commercial rumor, but they traded for the cheapest Carlos Hyde on the day of the cup. The Tampa Bay Buccaneers could also use an upgrade, as Gordon would clearly be # 1 on Peyton Barber.

Fantastic ramifications of a long wait

How does maintaining Gordon affect where he should be recruited into fantasy football? For those who have not yet received their project, here are some tips from Ben Gretch, publisher of CBS Sports Fantasy, and Chris Towers, writer of CBS Sports Fantasy:

If Gordon is present Week 1: "That changes, whether or not he has a new deal, but there were already concerns about Gordon before he started his career." Aside from the difficulty Gordon had in staying in good health for 16 games, Ekeler and Jackson are the Chargers' best backup tandem.There is good reason to believe that they would handle his workload, especially since he missed the whole program of the offseason.If they sign it, it is even more likely that it will be a long-term contract.If it returns without agreement, it is likely to use it, knowing that & # 39; He is likely to walk at the end of the year, health would be a concern, but it would be a viable choice at the end of the first round or at the beginning of the second run. "- Gretch

If Gordon misses the month of September: "Gordon who is missing just a month at this point seems to be a scenario close to the ideal scenario.There are a few weeks left, gets his new contract, and comes back rested and ready to leave with the team fully committed to him. Gordon has suffered more serious knee injuries in recent years than his reputation suggests – they all tended to arrive late in the season – so a month of fewer beats might not be bad. Gordon has to have that expectation with Gordon, but if he's back in October, you'll get one of the best picks on the day of the repechage if you win it on the fifth or sixth round. "- Tours

If Gordon misses September and October: "I risk overestimating the risk, but that's the current assumption I'm subject to, and if that happens, other elements could be introduced." At this point, the Chargers would know perfectly well that Gordon is here to qualify.As a free agent at the end of the season, if their other backs produce, it's possible that they respond to that by not really welcoming Gordon to with open arms and giving him the lead role.Of course, they might also see no reason not to use Gordon intensively, knowing that they will not pay the bill for his next contract.I would not probably not willing to take Gordon until lap 6. In this scenario, it's a very successful bet at the end of the season, but I'm not sure I can use it right after his report . "- Gretch

How Gordon affects the Super Bowl odds

The Chargers won a playoff game with Gordon on their roster last season against the Baltimore Ravens (the first time the Chargers play in the playoffs with Gordon). In his four-year career in the league, Gordon totaled 3,628 yards and 28 touchdowns (4.0 yards per run) in 55 games. The Chargers are 26-29 out of 55 games played by Gordon, but 17-11 in the last two years. Gordon had only 26 runs for 55 yards and two touchdowns in two playoff games, but he was the opposing player who focused on the defense. He also played two of the best defenses in 2018 in the playoffs.

Gordon has been used extensively for the past two years, but has also been very good under head coach Anthony Lynn. He completed 459 carries for 1,990 yards and 18 touchdowns (4.4 yards per run), as well as 108 catches for 966 yards and eight touchdowns. Gordon was fifth in the NFL in scrum yards in 2017 and 10th in 2016, demonstrating his value to the Chargers. When Gordon missed all four games in 2018, the Chargers were 4-0 in his absence.

The Chargers have been productive without Gordon in training, but his value is also important for fourth quarter franchise Philip Rivers. Los Angeles had only 84 yards per race when Gordon was not in training, compared to 128.1 when Gordon was on the field. It's a huge difference and it eliminates all the pressure on Rivers to get the Chargers to victory, creating a more balanced attack for a running coach like Lynn.

Removing Gordon from the equation affects the Chargers' game plan, which translates into more passes and touchdowns by Rivers. The Chargers had 376.6 passing yards per game in 2017 and 372.6 in 2018, with Gordon playing 28 of those 32 games. Rivers can carry the offensive without Gordon, but keep in mind that he has only launched 22 steals in the last two years, up from 21 in 2016. Rivers may be willing to take more risks if Gordon is not in the crease and if the drifting racing game does not go down.

According to SportsLine, the Chargers have 18 chances to win the Super Bowl without Gordon. The same issue as the Dallas Cowboys without Ezekiel Elliott. If the Chargers want to face the first round in the AFC and beat the Kanas City Chiefs for the AFC West title, they'll need Gordon this season.

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