Melvin Gordon waiting for call that just isn’t coming

Melvin Gordon is still holding out, and he’s waiting for a “call” that isn’t likely to come anytime soon.

Heading into the final year of his rookie contract, Los Angeles Chargers running back Melvin Gordon is holding out in search of a new deal. The team doesn’t seem inclined to grant that wish, as Gordon’s absence now extends toward Week 3 of the preseason.

The Chargers reportedly have offered Gordon a deal worth around $10 million per season. That’s  a push toward the top of the running back market, for a back with a career yards per carry average of 3.8 prior to last year and one full, injury-free, 16-game season in four NFL campaigns.

Since he is under contract, unlike Le’Veon Bell last year, the Chargers can fine Gordon for every day of training camp he misses. He has threatened to hold out into the regular season, and forfeit around $330,000 for each game he misses, but it’s safe to say he’ll show up in time to get an accrued season for 2019 and hit free agency next March.

To his credit, Gordon is working out in California and staying ready. But based on his comments to ESPN, he’s operating with an overly hopeful idea.

"Just waiting on the call,” said the Pro Bowl back, who also has spent time preparing in Florida."

Waiting on a call from his agent? A call from the Chargers? A significant call from his agent would only come when the team wants to enter contract negotiations, and a better offer would have to be on the table. ESPN‘s Jeremy Fowler added the team has offered to bridge the gap between $10 and $13 million per year with incentives, but that hasn’t gotten anywhere with Gordon’s camp.

So Gordon is “waiting on the call” that isn’t likely to come anytime soon, and it very well may not come at all. In the meantime, with little risk of tangible drop-off, the Chargers seem ready to roll into the season with Austin Ekeler and Justin Jackson as their top two running backs .