Rich Eisen claims Broncos cut Melvin Gordon to avoid admitting Russell Wilson mistake
After three years with the team, the Denver Broncos have waived running back Melvin Gordon. Fans yearning for the change celebrated, but one NFL analyst claims the decision to part ways with him was simply to avoid the elephant in the room. Speaking on his eponymous show, NFL analyst Rich Eisen revealed what he expected the running back's reaction to be before dropping the bombshell:
"I think Melvin Gordon's reaction would be, 'Really? I’m the problem. I'm the problem. 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."
The running back committed five fumbles in his 11 weeks of the 2022 season. After Javante Williams went down with an injury, Gordon became the lead running back for the team. However, his inability to hold on to the football flipped multiple games on their head.
Melvin Gordon's farewell message
The running back has since taken to social media to post a scathing goodbye to the fanbase. According to Zac Stevens on Twitter, he posted a meme of himself driving a car in a high-speed pursuit, attempting to outrun the police. Attached to the meme was a message in which he called Broncos Country "hell."
Melvin Gordon’s farewell post to Broncos Country via his IG: https://t.co/z8YES9wR1l
"Boy y'all fans was hell lmfaooo. Thank y'all too Broncos Country. Let's at least laugh on the way out."
Over the course of the season, he was slowly phased out as the leading offensive back after the team signed Latavius Murray and Marlon Mack and traded for Chase Edmonds. Fans are hoping that the number of turnovers will drop in his absence and the other running backs will be productive.
At 3-7, the team will need to win for a month straight to reach .500 and even longer if they hope to be viable near the end of the season. Unless the team turns around quickly, they could be looking down the barrel of a bottom-five record in the NFL.
If any of the above quotes are used, please credit the Rich Eisen Show and H/T Sportskeeda.