Skip to content

Gordon: Chargers' system wasn't 'built for me'

Dustin Bradford / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Running back Melvin Gordon doesn't think he was put in the ideal system with the Chargers, but he's now confident the Denver Broncos are a good fit for his skills.

"I think (Denver is) a great system for backs to really be the guy and go out there," Gordon said on the "RapSheet + Friends" podcast. "They run a lot of inside zone, and that's what I did a lot at Wisconsin. ... It (can) help me get back in the feel of what I do best."

"When I came to the Chargers, I did a lot of stuff out of the (shotgun)," he added. "I struggled with it, because you have to be so detailed with everything. Obviously it helped to make me a better player all around, as far as the passing game and everything.

"But it really didn't play off my strengths, especially the first couple of years there, I kind of just had to adjust and make (it) work. It kind of wasn't the system built for me. But I feel like Denver kind of runs my style of football."

The Chargers drafted Gordon 15th overall in 2015 after his impressive career at Wisconsin. He started slowly in the NFL and didn't score a touchdown as a rookie, but then bounced back and has made the Pro Bowl twice since 2016.

Los Angeles let the 27-year-old go in free agency this offseason, and although he didn't expect the Broncos to pursue a starting-caliber running back, Gordon is interested to see how his union with 2018 Pro Bowler Phillip Lindsay will play out.

"I know (Lindsay) was unhappy about me coming in, but at the end of the day it's tough, you just have to do what you have to do," Gordon said.

"And I feel like we can be a good duo," he continued. "But it's tough. It's hard to really see what's on, how things are going to play out, how they're going to use us. I'm not sure, to be honest. I'm really eager to find out."

Lindsay has amassed 2,048 rushing yards while averaging 4.9 yards per carry and scoring 16 touchdowns on the ground over the last two seasons. The 25-year-old back has also caught 70 passes for 437 yards since 2018.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox