The NFL’s market for running backs is dwindling, and Melvin Gordon III isn’t happy about it. 

“We just don’t get no love, it’s literally the worst position to play in the NFL right now,” Gordon said on “The Jim Rome Show.”

“I still want to play, I still got some tread left on the tires… It’s just about the right situation and it’s just so tough for running backs right now.” 

Gordon, 29, was waived by the Broncos in November, and signed a practice-squad contract with Kansas City soon after.

After winning his first Super Bowl in February with the Chiefs — albeit without actually getting on the field for Kansas City — Gordon is now back on the free agency market.

With NFL training camps set to start at the end of July, time is ticking for the running back.

“I’m just staying ready because I know what I can do,” Gordon said. “I know once I get in camp or any camp, I can turn some heads. I know what I need to do. I know my mistakes that I’ve made and you have to be able to correct them, but I’m ready to go”

In his final season with Denver, Gordon started six games and amassed five fumbles, the most since his rookie year in 2015. 

Gordon was released even though the team had already lost starter Javonte Williams for the season with a torn ACL.

In the 2021 season, though, Gordon rushed for 918 yards and had eight touchdowns on 203 carries. 

This summer’s free-agency market has a strong roster of veteran running backs still available, including Ezekiel Elliott, Dalvin Cook, Kareem Hunt and Leonard Fournette. 

While the talent is there, NFL teams no longer see a veteran running back as a true necessity, Gordon said, pointing to the Todd Gurley saga as a turning point in the position. 

“In my opinion, I think after Todd (Gurley) got paid and then (Rams coach) Sean McVay came out and said, ‘I will never pay a running back again; I’ll just use them and rotate them out,’ I think after that statement was made — and then I think they won the Super Bowl — it was like everybody just followed suit,” Gordon said.

Gurley was released from the Rams in March 2020 after inking a four-year, $60 million contract extension with $45 million in guarantees with the team in July 2018.

The deal made Gurley the highest-paid running back in the NFL at the time, but he turned out to be a less than crucial component to LA’s winning team due to knee injuries. 

Teams now choose to rely on younger, inexpensive running backs drafted in the late rounds with fresh legs and cheap contracts.

In recent years, salaries for all other NFL positions have increased, while running back’s paychecks have lost value. 

In 2015, the franchise tag for running backs was $10.93 million compared to this offseason when it was $10.09 million. 

“It’s hard, though. It’s hard training knowing that you’re not gonna be on a team,” Gordon said. “It’s tough mentally. But I talked to some players that went through it and I’m just taking their advice, being a sponge, and it kind of helps you get through it.”