Melvin Gordon continued a recent trend Thursday afternoon, informing the Los Angeles Chargers that he will not report to training camp if he doesn’t receive a new contract.
That’s according to a report from ESPN’s Adam Schefter, who adds that Gordon will also demand a trade if he’s not given a new deal.
Gordon is entering the last year of his rookie contract and is set to make $5.6 million this season.
Last season, Pittsburgh Steelers running back Le’Veon Bell sat out the entire season rather than play on a one-year contract. He signed a 4-year, $52.5 million deal with the New York Jets earlier in the offseason.
Few players have surpassed Gordon’s production at running back over the last three seasons. He’s amassed at least 1,300 scrimmage yards and 12 touchdowns in each of the last three campaigns, and rushed for a career-high 5.1 yards per attempt last season.
The 26-year-old wants a new deal that’s in the same neighborhood as ones recently signed by Bell, Todd Gurley and David Johnson, according to Schefter. Gurley’s extension was four years, $57 million and Johnson’s was three years, $39 million.
The trade market could be tough for Gordon this time of year. Most teams are settled at the running back position, and few are likely to be willing to pay up for Gordon’s services and give assets back to the Chargers.
The Chargers are set to report to training camp on July 27.