LOS ANGELES — Just 24 hours after being released by the Los Angeles Rams, running back Todd Gurley has found a new home in the Atlanta Falcons on a one year deal.
According to ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter, Gurley agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract. He was paid $7.5 million by the Rams before he was released and with $2.5 million subtracted from his Falcons deal due to offset language, he’ll receive $11 million in 2020.
The Falcons released running back Devonta Freeman earlier in the week so Gurley’s arrival is perfect timing. Gurley also played his college football at the University of Georgia.
He was released by the Rams on Thursday where the team avoided paying him $10.5 million. Gurley finished with a career low 857 rushing yards in the 2019 season along with twelve touchdowns.
Gurley was the 2017 NFL Offensive Player of the Year, and became the highest-paid running back in league history when he was offered a $60 million extension that included $45 million in guarantees. Due to chronic knee issues he suffered during the 2018 season that limited him in the regular season, the team acquired CJ Anderson to help with the running duties. Gurley returned in the divisional round against the Dallas Cowboys after missing the final two regular season games. He was limited in Super Bowl LIII against the Patriots, and the 2019 season didn’t improve for Gurley.
The Rams moving Gurley was a cap casualty after signing quarterback Jared Goff to a large contract, so the Rams have $13.65 million in cap space. Which doesn’t include the $5.5 million saved that will come on June 2 with Gurley being released.
