Free agent Melvin Gordon shares candid thoughts about RB position in NFL

Running backs have not had a great run in the NFL in recent years when it comes to contracts or respect, and one big-name free agent has called it literally the "worst position to play in the NFL."

Melvin Gordon made that claim during an appearance on the Jim Rome radio show this week.

Said Gordon:

“I still want to play. I still got some tread left on the tires. Andy, you know, coach Reid, kind of sat me down and he told me that you still can play. It’s just about the right situation. It’s just so tough for running backs right now. And you have a lot of running backs out there and we just don’t get no love. It’s literally the worst position to play in NFL right now. It literally sucks. I’m just staying ready, man, because I know what I can do. I know once I get in camp, I get in any camp, I can turn some heads. I know what I need to do.”

The problem running backs are facing is that the league's general managers and head coaches just do not value them all that highly.

It is the position that has the shortest average career in the league and it is viewed as a largely team-dependent position. If your offensive line is bad, or your passing game is bad, there is a very good chance that your running back is going to struggle to produce no matter how talented they might be.

There has been a belief in the NFL for about 10-15 years now that good running backs can be found almost anywhere, whether it be late in the draft or after the draft entirely. Teams do not tend them pick them very high in the first round, they run them into the ground on their initial contracts, and then move on to find another player to fill in that spot. 

This offseason, though, running backs are trying to fight back. Saquan Barkley, Austin Ekeler and J.K. Dobbins are trying to get big-money deals from their teams to try and re-boost the value of the position. Not much progress has been made yet. 

For players like Gordon, it is simply a matter of trying to get another chance.

Gordon is going to be facing quite an uphill battle given his age (30), number of carries (more than 1,500 for his career) and the fact he is coming off one of the worst performances of his career in 2022 with the Denver Broncos.