Reaction Pours in After Broncos' Sign RB Melvin Gordon to Two-Year, $16M Deal

The Denver Broncos reportedly signed sixth-year running back Melvin Gordon to a two-year, $16 million deal on Friday. With $13.5M guaranteed, Gordon becomes a top-5 highest-paid RB in the league.

Meanwhile, the Broncos have a Pro Bowl incumbent RB coming off back-to-back 1,000-yard rushing seasons in Phillip Lindsay. With so many needs still stretching across the roster, fans and media alike are questioning the wisdom of paying $8M APY to a soon-to-be 27-year-old RB coming off a down year in L.A.

GM John Elway's free-agent moves up to this point have been roundly lauded. Elway showed restraint by backing out on the D.J. Reader proliferation and persuasive savvy by acquiring two Pro Bowl defenders on the trade market for relative peanuts.

This move, however, is going to earn Elway some raised eyebrows at best and some upset fans at worst. Starting with the media, check out the best reactions to the Broncos signing Gordon.

Media a Mixed Bag

It was just a few days ago the narrative from folks in #BroncosCountry was that the #Broncos are no longer an #NFLFreeAgency destination. Said bologna then, and saying it now. Reports reveal RB Melvin Gordon had multiple offers and wanted to play in AFC West against #Chargers
— Luke Patterson (@LukePattersonLP) March 20, 2020

$8M a year to work in tandem with a two-time 1K rusher and Pro Bowler — a homegrown guy who's proven to be THE spark plug of the #Broncos' offense.

Meanwhile, Denver has one starting DE ... https://t.co/KyKajfPe7N
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) March 20, 2020

Broncos’ offseason additions so far:

Jurrell Casey, 5x Pro Bowler & All Pro
Melvin Gordon, 2x Pro Bowler
A.J. Bouye, Pro Bowler & All Pro
Graham Glasgow
Jeff Driskel

Nice job, John.
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) March 20, 2020

Paying more for a running back on a second contract is like paying more for a used car as opposed to a fresh one off the line.

Running backs are at their best right out of college and then tail off (or fall off a cliff)
— Nick Kendell 🏔 (@NickKendellMHH) March 20, 2020

The Broncos now have one of the best 1-2 punches out of the backfield with Melvin Gordon & Phillip Lindsay. Also another terrific piece of support for Drew Lock. Adds to an already impressive young offensive core. https://t.co/kcen6C7hlr
— Zach Bye (@byesline) March 20, 2020

In the last four seasons, Melvin Gordon has averaged 14.1 touchdowns every 16 games -- the second-highest rate among all running backs and wide receivers in the NFL in that span.

He has 23 total TDs in 24 games in the last 2 seasons -- a shade under 1.0 TDs per game.
— Andrew Mason (@MaseDenver) March 20, 2020

Overpay. Definite overpay. https://t.co/A4MfaBDu2A
— Bob Morris (@BobMorrisSports) March 20, 2020

Broncos Been Brewin' This Deal

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Ex-Bronco Likes it

Fans

Yeah but its a crap shoot getting that. I think this was a bad move, but some guys act like any udfa or late round running back is gonna be a star. Its not that simple, Its not just some easy thing to hit on but i do see your point in overpaying, bad move.
— Joshua Williams (@JediJoshua58) March 20, 2020

I'm not in love with the money but I think the Broncos got the top RB available in FA this year. Henry wasn't going anywhere and is Drake really better because of his few games with AZ last year. And now, IMO, the Broncos have the best 1-2 punch in the NFL.
— Broncos_Reloading (@PolishFilipino) March 20, 2020

But haven't we known since the start of FA they wanted to add to that room? Why give money to Lindsay when you don't have to. Use it to make the room better.
— Broncos_Reloading (@PolishFilipino) March 20, 2020

So Gordon is the 4th highest paid RB in the league..?

When we already have one on a VERY team friendly deal?

I hate the contract a lot. Especially the guarantees. With that being said, I dont hate Gordon the player. The Broncos got better but 13.5 mil better? 🙅‍♂️❌
— Joey Richards (@LTB_Joey) March 20, 2020

Bottom Line

The analytics aren't kind when it comes to the wisdom of paying an RB big money on a second contract. That doesn't mean there aren't exceptions to the rule.

Unfortunately, in order for this move to really pay dividends for the Broncos, Gordon is going to have break past the mean and be that exception. With a creative play-caller in Pat Shurmur who knows how to get the most of his RBs, there's a reason to be optimistic in Gordon and Lindsay forging a potent one-two punch.

The silver-lining takeaway for fans should be this; the Broncos are pushing all of their chips in on Drew Lock, giving him every conceivable weapon to succeed.

I expect Elway to only continue adding to Lock's arsenal. Maybe not in free agency but in the draft, the Broncos will add another dynamic wide receiver (or two) and are expected to do so at pick 15 in the first round.

The cap implications of the Gordon deal might not be forgiving, especially from a return-on-investment perspective, but you know Lock smiled when the news broke across the wire. Perhaps fans should take their cue accordingly.

Follow Chad on Twitter @ChadNJensen and @MileHighHuddle.