Atlanta Falcons veteran left tackle Jake Matthews has a new star running back to block for in the NFC South club's loaded offense. Released Los Angeles Rams rusher Todd Gurley signed with the Falcons earlier this month, inking a one-year deal worth $6 million.
Despite losing appeal with the Rams, Gurley, 25, already has a fan in one-time Pro Bowl tackle Matthews.
Per Michael Giardi of NFL Network:
“I'm fired up to block for him. Hopefully we can make him look good. I'm sure he'll be doing that on his own too.
“He's a stud.”
"He's a stud." – Matthews on Gurley. https://t.co/VGUNk3D7bZ
— Mike Giardi (@MikeGiardi) April 30, 2020
Gurley leaves Los Angeles Rams after spending five seasons with the NFC West franchise, even dating back to their final year in St. Louis prior to relocating to California. Once the top option in the Rams' offense, Gurley lost a step and was given fewer carries following L.A. taking quarterback Jared Goff with the first overall pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.
While the Falcons have a former league MVP under center in Matt Ryan, signing the frustrated Gurley was surely a move to incorporate the star rusher in Dan Quinn's offense.
Gurley led the NFL in rushing touchdowns in back-to-back seasons, tallying a total of 30 scores on the ground in 2017-18. Last season, though — a year removed from the Rams reaching Super Bowl LIII and later missing out on the postseason — Gurley only recorded 223 carries for 857 rushing yards, scoring a dozen times as Goff and head coach Sean McVay moved towards a pass-first type of offense.
Clearly the Falcons know a lot about passing first with Ryan and star wideout Julio Jones on the squad, but adding Gurley will bring another dimension to the offense, and left tackle Jake Matthews is stoked about the promise.
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