The Los Angeles Rams made a tough decision on Thursday as they announced that they have released star running back Todd Gurley after five seasons.
There had been plenty of speculation regarding Gurley’s uncertain role on the offense moving forward. Unfortunately, it appears he will now be among the number of key starters that the Rams have parted ways with this offseason.
Gurley has served as the face of the franchise since bursting onto the scene as a rookie and then played an integral role in helping to bring that star power to Los Angeles following relocation. Although his time with the team may have been brief, he was still able to etch out a place for himself in franchise history.
The Rams took to Twitter to post a tribute video to thank him for his efforts:
Forever a part of our history.
Thank you, @TG3II. pic.twitter.com/XFBlFLNE0q
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) March 19, 2020
Gurley also made it clear that there are no hard feelings over the decision:
🗣🗣All Business Nothing Personal. https://t.co/rryxzZE0oP
— Todd Gurley II (@TG3II) March 19, 2020
The Rams took Gurley with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft while they were still in St. Louis. He took the league by storm after rushing for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns as a rookie and immediately became the team’s biggest selling point following the move to Los Angeles.
Gurley was able to kick things up a notch following the arrival of head coach Sean McVay prior to the 2017 campaign and finished the year with 2,093 yards-from-scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns en route to NFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. The Rams followed it up by making him the highest-paid running back in the league with a lucrative four-year, $60 million extension that included $45 million guaranteed during the offseason.
Gurley was his usual dominant self during the 2018 NFL season and played a central role in the team’s Super Bowl run that year. Unfortunately, he would suffer a knee injury down the stretch that would continue to linger in the offseason and it is safe to say that this may have ultimately played a role in his eventual departure.
While Gurley’s time with the Rams has come to an end, he has still managed to leave his mark on their rich history of running backs. He finishes as the team’s sixth all-time leading rusher (5,404 yards) and tied with Hall of Famer Marshall Faulk for first in touchdowns (58).
