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Melvin Gordon rumors: 5 best fits in NFL free agency

By Russell S. Baxter

CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Running back Melvin Gordon #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Oakland Raiders at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
CARSON, CA - DECEMBER 22: Running back Melvin Gordon #25 of the Los Angeles Chargers celebrates after a touchdown in the game against the Oakland Raiders at Dignity Health Sports Park on December 22, 2019 in Carson, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears reacts in the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images)
GREEN BAY, WISCONSIN – DECEMBER 15: Head coach Matt Nagy of the Chicago Bears reacts in the second half against the Green Bay Packers at Lambeau Field on December 15, 2019 in Green Bay, Wisconsin. (Photo by Quinn Harris/Getty Images) /

3. Chicago Bears

Is it possible that the then-defending NFC North champions missed running back Jordan Howard a lot more than they figured to in 2019? The still-young performer wound up being dealt to the Philadelphia Eagles last offseason after three years in the Windy City. In each of those campaigns, the 2016 fifth-round pick from Indiana University totaled at least 250 carries for the club. He helped the team kill clock and maintain possession, even when the club struggled during his first two seasons in the league.

His regular-season resume with the Bears included a total of 778 attempts for 3,370 yards and 24 touchdowns in 47 contests. But with the new regime came change, and after one season with head coach Matt Nagy, Howard was sent to the City of Brotherly Love. It proved to be an injury-plagued campaign for the four-year pro, limited to only 10 games and four starts.

Meanwhile, Chicago finished 27th in the league in rushing yards per game in 2019. There were some occasional flashes from rookie David Montgomery, who finished 889 of the team’s 1,458 yards on the ground and six of the Bears’ eight touchdowns on the ground. Meanwhile, Tarik Cohen totaled more receptions (79) than carries (64). And Nagy’s team averaged less than 25 running plays per contest. The team doesn’t have a ton of salary-cap room to play with and Melvin Gordon may be well out of their price range. But he would be an ideal fit in Chicago.

Next: No. 2

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