Running back Melvin Gordon signs one-year deal with Baltimore Ravens

Free agent running back Melvin Gordon has a new team, according to NFL insider Adam Schefter. The former Wisconsin first-rounder signed with the Baltimore Ravens on Friday with a one-year deal worth $3.1 million.

Having previously lamented the position running backs are in this offseason, Gordon still managed to sign a deal that’s worth more than his previous deal.

When he signed with the Denver Broncos last April, it was for one-year $2.5 million. The Broncos released him in November, opening him up to sign with the Chiefs.

Meanwhile, the Ravens had a running back by committee last season, splitting reps between J.K. Dobbins, Kenyan Drake, Gus Edwards and more. On top of that, the Ravens relied on quarterback Lamar Jackson to post the most carries on the team.

Melvin Gordan lands with Ravens

Gordon, who is 30, went to the Chargers with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft.

He has had a successful NFL career, including making the Pro Bowl twice. However, he ended last year on the Chiefs’ practice squad. Gordon is confident he can still make plays in the NFL.

“I still wanna play. I’ve got some tread left on the tires. Coach [Andy] Reid kind of sat me down and told me that, ‘You still can play.’ It’s just about the right situation,” Gordon recalled on the Jim Rome Show.

“I’m just staying ready, because I know what I can do. I know that once I get in camp I can turn some heads. I know what I need to do; I know my mistakes that I’ve made. You’ve gotta be ready to correct them, but I’m ready to go, man. I’m staying ready. It’s hard, though… hard training knowing that you’re not going to be on a team. It’s tough mentally, but I’ve talked to some players that went through it. Just taking their advice, being a sponge and that kind of helps you get through it.”

Prior to his release from the Broncos last season, Gordon had 90 carries for 318 yards and two touchdowns. In 2021, he had 918 yards on 203 carries and 986 yards on 215 carries in 2020.