Rich Eisen says Melvin Gordon was scapegoated by the Broncos to deflect criticism from the underachieving Russell Wilson. On Tuesday’s episode Eisen had a lot to say about the eight-year veteran being surprisingly released. Eisen questions the real intent behind the move.
“I think Melvin Gordon’s reaction would be, ‘Really? I’m the problem. I’m the problem,’” said Eisen on ‘The Rich Eisen Show.’ “I know I fumble. I know I put the ball on the turf. I get it. But really, I’m the problem? Come on, come on, No, really it’s his fault. It’s his fault…? They’re definitely not cutting the quarterback. And the head coach’s not getting fired. Not yet.”
Rich Eisen Thinks Melvin Gordon Scapegoated By Broncos
Gordon, who has accumulated 318 of his 6,462 rushing yards this season, didn’t help his cause with five fumbles in ten games this season. But the Broncos are an absolute mess on the offensive side of the football, and that begins with first-year head coach Nathaniel Hackett and quarterback Russell Wilson. For a team that boasted the NFL’s stingiest defense prior to Sunday’s overtime loss to the Raiders, the offense hasn’t held up its end of the deal. That blame should lie with Hackett and Wilson, the brain trust of the operation.
Russell Wilson Declining?
Among the many struggles on offense nothing has been more glaring for the Broncos than the regression of the aforementioned Wilson. The former Seahawks star has been a shell of himself in the Mile High City. The Broncos traded for Wilson in March and then signed him to a huge $245M extension prior to the season. They believed they were just a QB away from contending for a Super Bowl, having started 11 different QBs since Peyton Manning retired following the 2015 season.
Under Wilson’s leadership, the team has the worst-scoring offense in the entire NFL, averaging just 14.7 points per game.
Let’s give some smack-you-in-the-face perspective to Russ’ first season of a five-year deal with the Broncos.
“Russell Wilson only has two more TD passes this season than Joe Flacco. … Joe Flacco hasn’t played since Week 3,” one online betting company pointed out in a Tweet.
Gordon was to share the running back duties along with second-year star Jevonte Williams, who was lost for the season with a torn ACL last month. Wilson’s subpar play, Gordon’s fumbling issues and Hackett’s inexperience in the lead spot have been a recipe for disaster. But if anyone can be cut its Gordon, he’s the least expensive of the three.
What Did Gordon Say To Broncos Fans In Goodbye Social Media Post?
Not really a fan favorite because of his shocking propensity to fumble the football, Gordon’s release seemed to be met with adulation by Broncos fans. The comedic Gordon even poked fun at the fanbase on his way out with this Instagram post.
Melvin Gordon’s farewell post to Broncos Country via his IG: pic.twitter.com/z8YES9wR1l
— Zac Stevens (@ZacStevensDNVR) November 22, 2022
Gordon spent the first five years of his career with the Chargers organization (San Diego and L.A.). and the past three seasons with Denver. He is still a serviceable player and could find himself in a better situation. Plenty of playoff contenders will be searching for a veteran back of his caliber. It just didn’t work out in Denver.
