Baltimore Ravens running back Melvin Gordon III Brent Skeen-USA TODAY Sports

Two-time Pro Bowler Melvin Gordon issues ominous warning to RB hopefuls

By Michael Gallagher | Last updated 8/2/23

If anyone in the NFL knows just how unforgiving playing the running back position can be, it’s Melvin Gordon.

The two-time Pro Bowler has seemingly been through it all during his eight-year career, which is why he felt compelled to warn any player wanting to playing running back in the NFL to possibly reconsider.

"If you're thinking about playing running back, think twice," Gordon said, via the Baltimore Banner. "Unless you really, truly feel like God put you on this planet to run the ball, if you're athletic enough to switch positions, I'd do so in a heartbeat."

The 30-year-old even recently admitted if he could have a do-over, he would have picked a different position to make more money and extend his career.

Melvin Gordon the … cornerback? pic.twitter.com/Da8PCPi4RE
— Kay Adams (@heykayadams) July 25, 2023

Gordon’s cynicism is likely prompted by the ongoing offseason saga of RBs versus NFL owners and the ensuing battle about the diminishing value of the fourth-lowest-paid position in the league. (The only positions paid less than running back are fullback, punter and long snapper.)

In light of Indianapolis Colts owner Jim Irsay’s recent comments about the running back market, it appears that the rest of the league’s owners have little incentive to mess with the status quo.

NFL Running Back situation- We have negotiated a CBA,that took years of effort and hard work and compromise in good faith by both sides..to say now that a specific Player category wants another negotiation after the fact,is inappropriate. Some Agents are selling ‘bad faith’..
— Jim Irsay (@JimIrsay) July 26, 2023

“It’s just an argument that you can’t win, honestly,” Gordon added. “And, with the [collective bargaining agreement] not changing for five or six years, we’re pretty much screwed for five or six years. … You better find something else to play. Play baseball, play basketball or something else. Quarterback or DB or something. Running back just ain’t with the times. And I feel like it will change, but it won’t change until that CBA.”

Gordon’s advice may just carry some weight.

The top 15 highest-paid players in the NFL right now are quarterbacks. The highest-paid running back — San Francisco’s Christian McCaffrey — ranks 110^th in average annual salary, and only two RBs are in the top 150 highest-paid players in the NFL, per Spotrac.

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