Chargers Were Reportedly Never Going to Trade Melvin Gordon Despite Interest
By Jerry Trotta
At long last, Melvin Gordon's holdout came to an end Wednesday evening after news broke that the two-time Pro-Bowler would be reporting to the Los Angeles Chargers on Thursday.
It marked the end of a holdout that extended as far back as minicamp. Gordon was seeking an extension that would make him one of the highest-paid running back's in the NFL -- a figure around $13 million per year.
Once upon a time, however, rumors indicated the Chargers were contemplating trading the star tailback to rid themselves of the contract headache. Well, ESPN's Jeremy Fowler believes that was never a genuine possibility.
Was told Melvin Gordon was open to being traded to the Houston Texans early in the process, but the Chargers never really made trading Gordon to any team a viable option. Only choice was to report eventually, accrue the season toward free agency.
— Jeremy Fowler (@JFowlerESPN) September 26, 2019
This particular news shouldn't come as a surprise as Los Angeles was reportedly asking for a first- and fifth-round pick in return for the Wisconsin product -- an alarmingly hefty package considering the franchise had next to no leverage in talks.
In hindsight, Gordon eventually reporting to the Chargers was always the expected outcome as the NFL's collective bargaining agreement requires him to be with the organization for at least six games in the final year of his rookie deal in order for him to become eligible for an extension this offseason or next offseason.
Sources: The holdout is ending. #Chargers RB Melvin Gordon is, in fact, reporting to the team tomorrow. He won’t play this week, but he is planning to be back in the fold with his teammates.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) September 25, 2019
The trade rumors were likely just a smokescreen deployed by LA's front office to see if they could get a desperate franchise to cough up future picks before they actually had to enter extension talks with Gordon following the season.