Denver Broncos' RB Melvin Gordon believes team wants 'the guy' at RB to be Javonte Williams

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon has been a starter his entire NFL career, but he's aware that could change in 2022 with second-year back Javonte Williams pushed to the forefront of the Broncos offense.

"I think they want 'Vonte' to be the guy, but we do rotate," Gordon said Wednesday, via NFL.com. "Sometimes we switch, but you know kind of how it is. I don't know how they will do the rotation. ... I don't know what the future holds other than that, but I just want to put my best foot forward so when I do go out there, they go, 'OK, we need to get him out there more.' I know I have the game; I know I can play and I still have the juice, but we'll see."

Gordon and Williams each finished the 2021 season with exactly 203 carries, although Williams got the slight majority of the touches thanks to his 43 receptions compared to 28 for Gordon. Williams averaged 4.4 yards per carry and scored seven total touchdowns, while Gordon picked up an average of 4.5 yards and had 10 touchdowns.

Williams, 22, was Denver's second-round pick in 2021 and Gordon was scooped up by the team as a free agent in 2020. Earlier this year, Gordon re-signed with the Broncos on a one-year deal. Prior to joining Denver, Gordon was a two-time Pro Bowler during a five-year stint with the San Diego/Los Angeles Chargers.

Neither Gordon nor Williams played in the Broncos' preseason opener against the Dallas Cowboys. The next game for Denver is Saturday against the Buffalo Bills.