The Los Angeles Rams’ running back is an open question mark as the ground game has yet to really take off during the 2022 season.
The Rams are currently working through an internal issue with Cam Akers, who is widely expected to be moved before the Nov. 1 NFL trade deadline. With Akers unavailable, the team has turned to Darrell Henderson, Malcolm Brown and Ronnie Rivers, an uninspiring group of backs that might force L.A. to seek reinforcements.
Gone are the days of head coach Sean McVay leaning on a workhorse back like Todd Gurley, who was able to carry the offense almost single-handedly. Gurley was a beloved player in the Rams organization and the former All-Pro recently announced that his NFL career is over, via Andrew Siciliano of NFL Network:
It’s not an official retirement announcement, but @TG3II told me today that he’s done playing football.@nflnetwork pic.twitter.com/oCzx5dlVeS
— Andrew Siciliano (@AndrewSiciliano) October 20, 2022
During Gurley’s five-year run with the Rams, he was named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015 and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. He was named to the Pro Bowl three times, earned two First-Team All-Pro nods, and one Second-Team All-Pro honor. Gurley also managed to lead the league in rushing touchdowns in 2017 and 2018.
A prolific runner and pass catcher out of the backfield, Gurley was the hub of McVay’s heavy play-action offense, and he helped L.A. reach Super Bowl LIII. However, a knee injury slowed him down considerably which led to a dip in production in 2019. L.A. ended up releasing Gurley despite handing him a lucrative extension the year before, and he spent the 2020 season with the Atlanta Falcons.
Gurley’s career is a major “what-if” had he not been injured, but regardless, he should be proud of what he was able to accomplish at the professional level and Rams fans will always appreciate his time in L.A.
