Clayton: Melvin Gordon’s days with Broncos may be numbered

Melvin Gordon III finally reported to the Denver Broncos on Tuesday after missing the voluntary OTAs.

Naturally, Gordon didn’t want to have the $93,000 fine for missing mandatory minicamp. NFL running backs in their second contract can’t risk it. It’s becoming harder and harder for running backs to make big money in free agency.

Sure, teams took care of Christian McCaffrey, Derrick Henry, Alvin Kamara, Aaron Jones and a few others, but “few” is the key word here. There are only seven backs making $10 million or more. Go back to last year, when Gordon was a free agent. In 2019, he made the mistake of turning down a $10 million contract extension from the Los Angeles Chargers.

Gordon got the most money given to a free agent back in 2020, but it was a two-year, $16 million deal. He’s been to two Pro Bowls. Last year, he did well, getting 986 yards and nine rushing touchdowns. He was 10th in rushing yards. In this year’s free agency period, the best free agent running back deal went to Kenyon Drake, who got a two-year, $11 million deal — only $5.5 million a year.

In his minicamp press conference, he sounded positive but realistic. Despite being the lead running back last year, he knows he’s going to have to battle for the starting job. The Broncos moved up in the second-round to draft Javonte Williams, considered one of the top three backs in the draft. Also competing are Royce Freeman and free agent addition Mike Boone, who signed a two-year, $3.8 million deal.

Taking the positive approach, Gordon said he wants the Broncos to have the best running back group in the NFL. The Broncos wanted bigger, more physical running backs this year. Gordon offers them that, as do the other three. But Gordan is 28, and it’s safe to say he probably will have to find another team after the season.

It’s not easy being a veteran running back in the NFL.