At one time, Todd Gurley was considered the best running back in the entire league. He rushed for back-to-back 1,000 yard seasons, scored a total of 30 touchdowns on the ground as well in 10 the air in 2017 and 2018 combined.
Things soon changed as his knee would become the most talked-about storyline last offseason as everyone wondered if he would be his normal self after taking a backseat in last year’s playoffs.
Gurley had his worst season since 2016 getting a career-low 223 carries and only catching 31 passes in 15 games during the 2019 season.
All of this happened after he was signed to a four-year extension worth $60 million, of which $45 million is guaranteed. That lucrative contract extension doesn’t actually kick in until 2020 and will run through 2023 at an average of $14.38 million per year.
For that reason, ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry predicts the Rams will at least try to shop him this offseason.
“In a pinch to find space under the salary cap, the Rams will attempt to trade running back Todd Gurley.
Whether L.A. can pull it off remains another question, given Gurley’s massive contract that includes $45 million in guarantees and runs through the 2023 season, as well as the uncertainty that continues to surround the long-term health of his surgically repaired left knee. This past season, Gurley played a diminished role in the offense, rushing for 857 yards, his fewest since the 2016 season (885).
If the Rams do trade Gurley, the cap savings won’t be huge. They would gain $4.65 million by shipping him out of town, which is far more reasonable than the $8.4 million cap loss they’d suffer by outright cutting him.”
His contract makes it damn near impossible to do anything and will serve as a reason why most teams do not and will not put so much money into a running back.
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The Rams clearly need some cap space, but that will prove to be difficult with such a top-heavy roster.
