The Los Angeles Rams were strapped for cap space this offseason, which led to some difficult decisions in order to free some up to improve the roster for 2020 and beyond.
Chief among the tough decisions was the release of star running back Todd Gurley, who signed an extension that hadn’t even kicked in yet. His injury history and decreased production led to the Rams going in a different direction though, and he has now returned to Georgia, where he played his college ball, after signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Additionally, the Rams released another key player in outside linebacker Clay Matthews, who was entering the final year of a two-year contract he signed with his hometown team last offseason.
While the Rams saved some money by releasing both players, they still owe them their guaranteed money, which both players recently took to social media looking for:
You and me both TG! 😤 Better get some interest with that too 📈 https://t.co/E8RIOhg7sH
— Clay Matthews III (@ClayMatthews52) April 9, 2020
While Gurley and Matthews are both looking for their money, Lindsey Thiry of ESPN is reporting that the Rams do not believe they are in any violation of their contracts:
The Rams believe they are in full compliance with the language in the players’ contracts, a source told ESPN. The team declined to comment.
By designating Gurley’s release as post-June 1, it allowed the Rams to spread the dead-money cap charge of $11.75 million over two seasons, and they also will have cap savings of $5.5 million in June.
Matthews remains a free agent, but the Rams saved $3.75 million in salary-cap space by cutting him. It is understandable that both players are not happy with the organization after being released, but is also unfortunate that they felt the need to go public with personal information like not being paid.
Hopefully this all gets sorted out soon, and there is not bad blood between the two players who were fan-favorites and the Rams organization.
