The Los Angeles Rams are set to usher in a new era under center with the acquisition of former Detroit Lions quarterback Matthew Stafford.
For the second consecutive year, the Rams have made a substantial change to the offense by parting ways with one of its key members in quarterback Jared Goff. Last offseason, it was running back Todd Gurley that found himself on his way out of town after being released and subsequently signing with the Atlanta Falcons.
Despite some lingering concerns regarding Gurley’s uncertain future, the decision caught many in and around the NFL off guard. However, it appears that was hardly the case this time around.
Gurley admits he was not surprised by the trade and shared some love for his former teammate by wishing him the best, per NFL Network’s Nick Shook:
“Well, another situation where I wasn’t surprised again,” Gurley said of the trade that sent Goff to the Lions during a Wednesday appearance on NFL Network. “But you know, I like Goff, I like Goff, he’s a good guy. Don’t nobody care about who’s a good guy. I’m just happy he’ll be able to go somewhere and hopefully those guys welcome him with open arms and just not be judgmental and just let him play. He’s been a No. 1 pick for a reason, and he has a lot of ball left in him. I just want him to be happy, and I just want him to be able to go out there.
“It could be a good thing for him, you know? Just add an extra chip on your shoulder. A lot of players like to play with chips on their shoulder, but it’s a lot different when you’re a franchise quarterback and you take your team to the Super Bowl and two years later you’re on a whole other team. Like I told him, man, love him, just want him to be happy and keep doing what you’re doing.”
Both players arrived as first-round picks and enjoyed successful stints with the Rams as focal points of the offense during their turnaround under head coach Sean McVay. Gurley became a perennial All-Pro player and earned Offensive Player of the Year honors in 2017 while Goff was named a two-time Pro Bowler leading up to their trip to Super Bowl LIII.
Gurley has since become an integral part of the Falcons offense after finishing the 2020 NFL season with 678 yards and nine touchdowns on 195 carries. While he may have enjoyed modest production in his first year away from the Rams, he is hoping that Goff can find a way to utilize that chip on his shoulder.
