One of the more shocking things to come out of Week 6 of the NFL season was the Denver Broncos’ decision to bench starting running back Melvin Gordon.
Gordon has been a staple in Denver’s running game for the past two seasons but saw only three carries Monday night in favor of veteran running back Latavius Murray.
Broncos head coach Nathaniel Hackett discussed the decision to bench Gordon earlier this week, saying that he “didn’t do anything wrong.”
He also added that he and Gordon would have a discussion of where he goes from here, and it appears that this discussion happened on Wednesday.
Hackett announced on Wednesday that Gordon will start for the Broncos in their Week 7 matchup against the New York Jets.
#broncos RB Melvin Gordon will start for the #broncos vs the #jets per Nathaniel Hackett.
— James Palmer (@JamesPalmerTV) October 19, 2022
This comes just two days after Gordon was benched for the majority of the game, and many are shocked to hear that this change of heart has happened so quickly.
Let me get this straight …
— Melvin Gordon is benched and pouts his way through a tough loss, during which Latavius Murray performed admirably.
— Gordon speaks out about benching.
— Hackett vows to talk with Gordon.
— Gordon is named Week 7 starter.
Great message, coach.
— Zack Kelberman (@KelbermanNFL) October 19, 2022
Mr. Hackett never fails to surprise. We all thought Melvin Gordon was all but gone but Hack says he'll start Sunday. Prediction: this will not end well
— Scott Monserud (@monserud) October 19, 2022
Hackett really trying to mess with all of the fantasy football community. As a Melvin Gordon owner, Hackett can’t get relived of his duties fast enough. https://t.co/UXL9QAxmkM
— Brentley Weissman (@Brentley12) October 19, 2022
Hackett says #Broncos will start RB Melvin Gordon vs. #NYJets. I guess the squeaky wheel really does get the grease!
— Chad Jensen (@ChadNJensen) October 19, 2022
Gordon certainly appeared to be agitated with his situation in Denver and even liked tweets following the game that indicated he wanted a trade.
So Melvin Gordon can go like a bunch of tweets saying he wants to be traded, and his head coach will start him six days later? Who's the boss here? This is a new low for Hackett.
— Will Petersen (@PetersenWill) October 19, 2022
It certainly isn’t a great look for Hackett to flip-flop so easily on his decision to bench Gordon, and it makes it difficult to pull him out again if he continues to struggle. Gordon has rushed for 201 yards on 55 carries this year, a sub-par 3.7 yards per carry, and he has four fumbles.
Hackett has received a ton of criticism thus far this season due to his questionable decision-making.
The Broncos have underperformed thus far, sitting at 2-4 with some serious struggles on offense.
If things don’t improve quickly Hackett could find himself on the hot seat in his first year in Denver, and he will hope that Gordon plays a big role in helping to turn things around.
