The Facts: In the final year of his rookie deal, Gordon said his representation has had preliminary talks with the team and he's hopeful something can get done in the near future. "I'd be lying if I said I didn't want a deal done," Gordon said while talking to reporters at the start of mandatory minicamp Tuesday. "But that's not going to stop me from coming out here and doing what I need to do. We're going to see. I would like to go out there and have it done. We're talking right now, and that's kind of where I'm going to leave it."

Diehards Line:While hopeful that a contract extension is completed, Gordon did not dismiss the possibility of not playing in 2019 if no deal is consummated by the start of the regular season. "I don't know man," Gordon said. "I'm just trying not to talk about it. If it's going to happen, it'll happen. When it does, I'm pretty sure you guys will know. ..." Gordon, 26, is scheduled to make $5.6 million in 2019. The 2015 first-round selection has 38 total touchdowns since the start of the 2016 season, trailing only fellow draft class running back Todd Gurley (46). Gordon also tops the NFL with three consecutive seasons of at least 1,200 scrimmage yards and 10 total touchdowns. "Melvin Gordon is extremely important to us," HC Anthony Lynn said. "When he's out here on the field, he works his tail off. He's gotten better every year that I've been here. I think he's headed in the right direction. If he just goes out and keeps doing what he's been doing, that contract stuff will take care of itself." However, Gordon also acknowledged the running back position has been devalued of late, with workhorse backs such as Gurley, David Johnson and Le'Veon Bell being the exceptions with lucrative deals.