News & Info/Headlines

As NFL Network's Ian Rapoport first reported, Melvin Gordon has agreed to terms on a two-year, $16 million contract with the Denver Broncos.

Gordon's deal includes $13.5 million guaranteed.

The former Los Angeles Chargers running back had been looking for a multi-year commitment, holding out last year in an effort to obtain long-term security. With the running back market chugging in reverse, Gordon had to settle for a shorter-term commitment in Denver.

Rapoport reported last season that the Chargers offered Gordon a deal worth $10 million annually. With an overflow of running backs on the market, and teams being reluctant to pay the position, Gordon settled for less than that reported offer but didn't do awful considering the circumstances.

He'll also get another shot at the open market in two years when the salary cap is expected to rise.

The $8 million annual average currently makes Gordon the fourth-highest paid running back, below Ezekiel Elliott ($15 million) Le'Veon Bell ($13.125 million) and David Johnson $13 million -- Derrick Henry ($10.278 million) and Kenyan Drake ($8.483 million) would squeeze in front of Gordon if they sign their franchise and transition tag tenders, respectively.

The former first-round pick had been a do-it-all back for Los Angeles, running for 4,240 yards and 36 TDs, with 1,873 receiving yards and 11 additional scores on 224 receptions in five seasons.

But why Denver?

For starters, Rapoport noted Gordon had a better offer from another team, but the allure of playing in the AFC West, and facing the Chargers twice a year, appealed to the running back.

Beyond that, the Broncos are going forward with Drew Lock and his five career NFL starts as their quarterback this season and it follows that an upgraded running game would aid his development.

Gordon joins a backfield in Denver led by back-to-back 1,000-yard rusher Philip Lindsay and recent reporting suggested the team would be looking to add a back who could complement Lindsay. And that included looking at the proven starting running backs. Gordon can complement Lindsay and adds pass-catching ability out of the backfield.

In fact, Establish The Run's Evan Silva advised his Twitter followers that "Gordon, who is the superior pass catching back new offensive coordinator Pat Shurmur prefers in his system, will likely be the 1A to (Phillip) Lindsay's 1B."

The Broncos had Royce Freeman as their 1B back to Lindsay, but overall the team ranked 20th in rushing last season with 103.9 yards per game and an upgrade is understandable.

Still, as NFL.com's Kevin Patra suggests, landing Gordon doesn't help fantasy football players out much, keeping a committee backfield in Denver.

It does mean Freeman's role will be drastically reduced if he sticks with the club.