As we are less than a week away from the start of training camp, the Chargers will be missing their star running back, Melvin Gordon. Gordon has improved throughout each year of his career and looks to be the next great Charger running back. Following the footsteps of LT is difficult, Ryan Matthews wasn't able to do it and neither was Branden Oliver. But now, a decade after Ladanian Tomlinson last played a snap in the powder blue uniforms; the Chargers have found their franchise guy. Melvin Gordon has had two pro bowl seasons in four seasons and has been influential both on and off the field for the Los Angeles community.

When I grow up I want to be an NFL general manager, and I'm going to have certain criteria for if I'm going to pay you. Do you have a strong impact on the field and do you model what this franchise represents off the field. Melvin Gordon doesn't have any off field issues, he's stayed healthy the past two seasons, and forces defensive coordinators to stay up all night. 

I think Gordon deserves to be the highest paid running back in the league. No, I'm not saying he's the best running back in the NFL, but it's his time. When a pro bowler has a chance at a new contract, most of the time he becomes the highest paid at this position. He helped the Chargers get into the playoffs last year, and I don't think they are a playoff team without him. If the Chargers truly want to compete against the Chiefs and be super bowl contenders, they need Gordon in the back field.