No surprise here, but the Chargers have officially picked up Melvin Gordon‘s option for the 2019 season (Twitter link via Field Yates of ESPN.com). Chargers general manager Tom Telesco indicated last month that he would add the additional year to Gordon’s deal. 
Gordon, the No. 15 pick in the ’15 draft, will earn $5.605MM in the 2019 season. The option is guaranteed for injury only, so the Chargers could theoretically bail on the extra year if Gordon’s performance slips for non-health reasons.
Gordon is coming off a career-high 1,105 yards on the ground, so the Chargers seem pretty likely to move forward with the fifth-year. Gordon also had 58 catches for 476 yards and four touchdowns in 2017.
The Wisconsin product got off to a slow start in his NFL career as he averaged just 3.5 yards per carry as a rookie. Over the last two years, he has stepped that up to a more respectable 3.9 yards per tote average as the Bolts’ primary rusher. He has also shown the ability to perform in the red zone with 18 rushing TDs and six receiving TDs to his credit over the last two years.
“That’s a bold strategy, cotton. Let’s see if it pays off”
Love Melvin. So excited for my Chargers this season. Still think Navarro Bowman would be a great pickup