The Rams have had some of the best running backs of all time from Eric Dickerson to Marshall Faulk to Steven Jackson and most recently, Todd Gurley. The former Georgia Bulldog has been a stud since being drafted 10th overall by Los Angeles rushing for 5,404 yards and hauling in 2,090 receiving yards in just five seasons.
Gurley’s 70 total touchdowns at age 25 are the most since Emmitt freaking Smith and have continued the Rams rich history of game-changing backs. He was the Face of the Rams Franchise: then he wasn’t.
Drawing comparisons to Eric Dickerson and the great Jim Brown, Gurley received a four-year, $60 million dollar extension in 2018. Following the extension, Los Angeles had one of their best seasons going 13-3 and reaching the Super Bowl off the legs of Todd Gurley until his left knee gave out.
Gurley tore his left ACL in 2014 while at Georgia and this same left knee became an issue late during the late 2018 season. This forced Los Angeles to sign ex-Broncos back C.J. Anderson to split carries in the last four games up to the Super Bowl. The knee flareup became so bad that Todd Gurley did not even play in the Ram’s biggest game, a Super Bowl matchup against the Patriots.
Now one short season later, Todd Gurley tallied a career-low in 1,064 scrimmage yards and touches (223) and the Rams finished third in the NFC West going 9-7. Los Angeles had a big decision on their hands: keep Gurley with the uncertainty of his health (severe left knee arthritis) or release him and take a whopping $20 million dead cap hit (money you owe the player). The Rams chose the ladder releasing him yesterday after their two trade suitors (Falcons, Dolphins) wouldn't trade for him.
Gurley seemed to take the firing in stride posting on his Twitter, “Damn, I got fired on my day off,” with a laughing emoji. So what would be next for the 25-year-old free agent? A homecoming.
The very next day, NFL/ESPN reported the now former-Ram Todd Gurley has been signed by the Atlanta Falcons to a one-year deal worth $6 million. From the Falcons perspective, this makes all the sense in the world. Gurley, who played his college ball at the University of Georgia when healthy is a two-time All Pro, three-time Pro Bowler and led the league in rushing twice. When not he is a backup/goal line running back at best.
Owner Arthur Blank and the Falcons believe at one year the risk certainly outweighs the reward as the Falcons are in a precarious spot: they finished second in the NFC South at 7-9 but haven’t made the playoffs since 2017. The old adage says all good things must come to an end and for Gurley although his time with the Rams ended abruptly his new squad in the Falcons have a chance to end their shortcomings and get Atlanta back into contention once more.
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