The Los Angeles Rams may be in the market for another running back with Cam Akers set to miss the entire 2021 NFL season with a torn Achilles.
There are some intriguing free agents to choose from including Adrian Peterson and Le’Veon Bell. However, there is plenty of speculation regarding their potential interest in a familiar face in running back Todd Gurley.
Gurley was cut by L.A. last offseason and spent the 2020 campaign with the Atlanta Falcons. The decision to bring him back is seemingly an easy one in the eyes of Rams legend Eric Dickerson.
Dickerson gave his endorsement of Gurley as an obvious replacement for the offense, via TMZ Sports:
“That’s a no-brainer,” Dickerson said of re-inking Gurley. “I mean, he knows the offense, he knows this offense. He doesn’t have to come in and try and learn it.”
“He knows [Sean] McVay, he knows the guys on the team — that would be an easy fit.”
There is certainly plenty of truth to Dickerson’s comments regarding Gurley’s connection to the Rams. After all, he served as the centerpiece of the offense’s resurgence under head coach Sean McVay.
Of course, there are still a number of factors for L.A. to consider since both sides did not part ways on the best of terms. Gurley notably called the team out for money that was owed in his contract following his release and it even got to the point where he was no longer in contact with former teammates until the issue was resolved.
On top of that, it is no secret that the 26-year-old is well-removed from his prime years with the team. The former NFL Offensive Player of the Year finished the 2020 campaign with 195 carries for 678 yards and nine touchdowns while tacking on 25 receptions for 164 yards through the air.
Despite all that transpired with the Rams, Gurley did not let that stop him from serving as a mentor to Akers. The latter credits him with offering valuable advice amid his transition to the NFL.
Gurley’s modest production alone could be a reason for the Rams to look elsewhere to help fill the void left by Akers. Dickerson is still clearly high on his potential should a return come to fruition.
It will be interesting to see which direction McVay and general manager Les Snead opt to go in, although the former has already indicated that the current plan is to stay within the organization.
