Nathaniel Hackett tries to repair Melvin Gordon situation

Denver Broncos running back Melvin Gordon III (25) express his frustration with the coaching staff in a post-game interview with NFL Network's Bridget Condon. Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports

Nathaniel Hackett tries to repair Melvin Gordon III situation after he received zero second-half carries on MNF

By Clark Dalton | Last updated 10/19/22

Nathaniel Hackett's first season as a head coach is already sinking, thanks to a 2-4 start. Upsetting key players like running back Melvin Gordon III plunges it even further.

Gordon III rode the bench in the second half of a 19-16 overtime loss to the Chargers. He only had three carries in the first half.

He couldn't hide his frustration in a post-game interview with NFL Network's Bridget Condon. Gordon III explained the coaching staff didn't tell him he would be relegated to the sidelines.

Melvin Gordon had 3 carries for 8 yards tonight. They all came in the first quarter.

"It was a close game. I felt like I could've helped make a difference but apparently not." pic.twitter.com/kMLNzpGybv
— Bridget Condon (@BridgetCondon_) October 18, 2022

"To tell you exactly what happened, I can't tell you," Gordon III said. "No one mentioned anything to me."

Some speculated Gordon III was being benched due to fumbling issues. He's fumbled four times this season.

In a Tuesday news conference, Hackett claimed there wasn't a reason for benching Gordon III in the second half of the game.

"Melvin didn't do anything wrong. We just didn't have a lot of plays (for Gordon III), and in the end, he didn't get the reps he wanted," Hackett said.

The rookie head coach added he will have a conversation with the running back, but the damage is done. Gordon III liked multiple tweets suggesting that he should be traded.

Melvin Gordon’s ‘liked’ tweets are… not ideal. pic.twitter.com/XgiwdA4bOC
— Graham Tiedtke (@GrahamTiedtkePO) October 18, 2022

Communication is key any relationship, especially when you're a head coach in the NFL. You need to be open and honest with players because it develops trust.

Gordon III has made costly mistakes, but the eight-year veteran deserves to know the offensive game plan. Not informing players of key information like this creates tension.

Tension that can boil over in what Gordon III called a "frustrated" locker room following the loss.

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