The Baltimore Ravens shored up their running back depth on Friday by signing former Wisconsin Badgers standout Melvin Gordon to a one-year deal.
Gordon will have some competition in camp as the Ravens have Justice Hill, JK Dobbins, and Gus Edwards already at the running back position. The Ravens, in a corresponding move, announced that they placed J.K. Dobbins on the physically unable to perform list (PUP) with what the team is calling undisclosed/knee. (Via Kevin Erk of the Ravens’ official website) Dobbins was held out of the June minicamp due to a soft-tissue injury.
What does this mean for Baltimore Ravens’ running back Melvin Gordon’s career?
It’s likely nearing the end for the former Badger standout. Gordon is 30 years old and running backs usually decline once they hit 30.
Gordon has been outspoken this offseason about the lack of respect NFL running backs get and spoke about that on the Jim Rome Show on June 23.
Check out Gordon’s comments here:
"It's literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks."
–@MelvinGordon25 on a brutal offseason for running backs. pic.twitter.com/omUUB7PRXu
— Jim Rome (@jimrome) June 21, 2023
“It’s so tough for running backs right now man. You have a lot of running backs that’s out there and we just don’t get any love. It’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now. It literally sucks.”
Gordon’s not wrong in his assessment, but nothing will change. The days of paying top dollar for a running back are over because outside of kickers and long snappers, running back is the most interchangeable position in all of football.
Running backs want their big payday and it’s understandable. The Rams gave Todd Gurley a four-year $60 million extension and they cut him a year into that contract. Gordon himself blamed the current treatment of running backs on LA Rams head coach Sean McVay.
“In my opinion, I think after Todd (Gurley) got paid and then (Rams Head Coach) Sean McVay came out and said I will never pay another running back again; I’ll just use them and rotate them out,’ I think after that statement was made and then I think they won the Super Bowl (*Rams lost the Super Bowl to the Patriots 13-3). it was like everybody just followed suit I think Gordon said. “I kind of think that’s where everything just started going downhill.” (Via Jim Rome Show)
Gordon will have to prove himself in a stacked Ravens backfield. As mentioned, the team employs J.K. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill. It will be a tall task for Gordon to make the roster, but considering that Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, and Kareem Hunt remain without teams heading into training camp, it is a welcoming sign that Gordon’s services are still needed.
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