ENGLEWOOD, Colo. -- Denver Broncos general director George Paton has said "the door is open" for some of the squad's free agents to return to the team, even well more a month into gratuitous agency
On Tuesday night, running back Melvin Gordon III agreed to walk through that door. The 29-year-old, viii-year veteran agreed to terms on a one-year deal to return to the Broncos in a parcel that includes performance incentives.
Gordon is the third unrestricted complimentary agent to re-sign with the Broncos on a one-year deal in recent weeks, joining safety Kareem Jackson and defensive tackle DeShawn Williams. The contract terms were start reported by NFL reporter Jordan Schultz.
The veteran's return -- just days away from the NFL typhoon -- indicates he knows he will share carries with Javonte Williams once once more. It too shows the Broncos don't believe plenty help could be found at that position in this weekend's draft. As a event, the Broncos are expected to open the season with the same three running backs every bit concluding year: Williams, Gordon and Mike Boone.
To signify the movement Tuesday night, Denver tweeted out a postgame photograph of Gordon with quarterback Russell Wilson when the latter was with the Seattle Seahawks. At present, of course, they'll be backfield mates.
👐👐👐 motion picture.twitter.com/jkjswc0dox
— Denver Broncos (@Broncos) April 27, 2022
Williams, who was the Broncos' second-round selection in the 2021 draft and was named to the league'due south All Rookie squad post-obit the season, was asked subsequently Tuesday's minicamp practice almost the prospect of Gordon'southward return to the team if Gordon didn't get a better offering somewhere else later in free agency.
"I've been talking to Mel lately, seeing how he is and seeing what he'southward been doing," Williams said. "Whatever (general manager) George (Paton) has planned, I'm set up. If I have to dissever carries, or if I'm the starter, information technology doesn't matter. Any it is, I'm just trying to win the Super Basin."
Gordon had said as last flavor drew to a close that he believed Williams had the skills to be the squad's meridian back, and because of that Gordon hoped to find a state of affairs where he could be the unquestioned No. 1 option in an offense's run game.
Last season, Gordon and Williams each had 203 carries and Gordon led the team with 918 yards rushing to Williams' 903 yards. Gordon battled hip, shoulder and thumb injuries downwardly the stretch, simply missed just one game this past flavor -- the Broncos' Calendar week 13 loss to the Kansas City Chiefs.
Get-go-year bus Nathaniel Hackett has said he likes what he has seen from Williams as well every bit Williams' potential equally a lead back. Just Hackett likewise said when minicamp opened Monday he wants depth at the position.
From the fourth dimension Gordon signed a two-year, $16 meg contract with the Denver Broncos before the 2020 season, he always seemed to be the target of criticism from the team'due south faithful no affair how he performed. He has led the Broncos in rushing in each of the past two seasons and scored 20 touchdowns in 31 games.
But when asked about the potential of leaving in free agency as last season wound down, Gordon added:
"Hell yeah I'thou thinking most it. I would beloved to be here. I don't think many people want me here, every bit far every bit the fans. I desire to be here. I've been seeing a lot of stuff. And I empathize. I get it. Just I dearest it here. I honey the guys here. I'd beloved to be here. Regardless of the hate correct now. I think information technology's mostly because of fantasy. The fantasy football become people a little tight in the rear end."
In 2020, he was considered by many to be the veteran most responsible for taking carries away from Phillip Lindsay, a Denver South High School graduate and fan favorite. And concluding season, it was Williams whom some fans wanted to run into acquit the ball more.
But Gordon has persevered. He has rushed for 6,144 yards and 53 touchdowns and has 284 receptions for ii,244 yards and 14 touchdowns in seven seasons.
