Melvin Gordon III is ready to battle in camp to remain the top running back for the Denver Broncos.

He believes most people have already designated Javonte Williams as the team's top rusher.

"I told [Broncos general manager George Paton] when I was at the [negotiating] table, I'm not going to lay down, I'm not going to lay down," Gordon said. " ... I've always got that mindset that I've got to go get it every year.

"I know a lot of people want me to take the backseat and I get it," Gordon added. "It's been like that for a while, it was like that with the Chargers -- everybody wanted Austin [Ekeler] to start. I just come out here and do my thing. Thanks for the motivation everybody, I appreciate y'all."

Gordon signed a one-year deal to return to the Broncos just before the draft in April. He had said when the 2021 season ended that he hoped to find a bigger workload with another team in free agency.

Last season, Gordon and Williams each had 203 carries and Gordon led the team with 918 yards rushing to Williams' 903 yards.

The ownership group that agreed to buy the Denver Broncos this week has contacted Peyton Manning about a role in the organization that could eventually lead to an equity stake in the franchise, according to sources.

Manning was reportedly contacted by multiple groups during the bidding process to purchase the Broncos.

Manning played four seasons with the Broncos (2012-15) after leaving the Indianapolis Colts in free agency.

The Denver Broncos have entered a sale agreement with the Walton-Penner family ownership group.

The agreement is for $4.65 billion, according to multiple reports.

That would be a record price paid for a North American sports franchise.

The Walton-Penner group -- headed by Walmart heir Rob Walton; his daughter, Carrie Walton Penner; and her husband, Greg Penner -- will also include Mellody Hobson, co-CEO of Ariel Investments as well as chair of the board of the Starbucks Corp. and a director at JP Morgan Chase.

"Today marks a significant step on the path to an exciting new chapter in Broncos history," Broncos CEO Joe Ellis said.

Walmart heir Rob Walton is expected to purchase the Denver Broncos for roughly $4.5 billion, according to a report.

The winning bid hasn't yet been finalized, but it's expected to be announced as "early as this month."

If the final sale price is $4.5 billion, it would smash the American record for most money ever paid for a sports team. 

The current record is held by the NBA's Brooklyn Nets, who sold for $2.35 billion in August 2019.