Could Tampa Bay Buccaneers make a trade for Melvin Gordon?
By Rob Leeds
With Melvin Gordon’s future uncertain in LA could the Buccaneers make a play for the two-time Pro Bowler and prolific dual threat running back?
After watching several other big name running backs get paid with massive contracts this past year Melvin Gordon has decided that it is his turn to get paid. He has given the Los Angeles Chargers and ultimatum: pay me or I demand a trade and sit out; could the Tampa Bay Buccaneers be a trade partner?
The Chargers were one of the better teams in football last year in large part due to Gordon on the ground and through the air. In 2018 Gordon had 1,375 all-purpose yards on just 225 touches paired with 14 touchdowns. After posting 6.1 yards per touch last season Gordon decided that he deserved a better-paying contract, but he is struggling to get through to the Chargers.
For starters, this entire situation is beyond a long shot. Even though the Los Angeles Chargers have the very talented Austin Ekeler to become the new starter, it would be surprising to move away from Melvin Gordon when they are so close to being a Super Bowl contender.
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Gordon, who is only 26, was one of the most productive running backs in the league last season and is one of the most efficient dual threat backs in the league. While running backs are risky to pay, the Chargers may have their hands tied in this situation.
If, on the off chance, this situation falls through the cracks and Gordon demands a trade, the Chargers could look to the Buccaneers as a place to trade the dual threat back. The Buccaneers have had one of the worst running games in the league since the last time that Doug Martin ran wild over the NFL in 2015.
The Buccaneers do have Peyton Barber and Ronald Jones but neither is a fraction the competent receiver that Gordon is. Gordon would also be set to the NFC and far away from the Chargers and their regular season matchups.