The Los Angeles Rams gave Todd Gurley a massive contract extension. He signed for four years and $60 million with $45 million being guaranteed. So far in 2019, he is not earning his money.
In 10 games this season, Gurley has totaled 547 yards on 135 carries. He has seven touchdowns and is averaging 4.1 yards per attempt along with just 21 catches on the season. The main problem is that he has not been touching the ball. Let's not forget that he has just one game this season with 20 or more carries.
It's important to note that Gurley has only one performance this season with at least 100-yard rushing yards. During the Rams' blowout loss on Monday Night Football to the Baltimore Ravens, he touched the ball just nine times. It was the second time this season that he was held under 10 carries.
In 2018, Gurley finished with 1,251 rushing yards and led the NFL with 21 total touchdowns. He was the main cog in the Rams' team that made a run to the Super Bowl. The Rams are just 6-5 this season and in danger of missing the playoffs. Jared Goff is receiving much of the blame but it is time for him to start taking some of the responsibility.
What is wrong with Gurley and the Rams?
It seems as though the rest of the league has figured out Sean McVay and the Rams' offense. Goff has not looked like the quarterback he was over the past two seasons. Gurley is not being used in the same way and he is being contained when he does touch the ball.
With Gurley being previously a regular volume runner, he has totaled over 250 carries in each of the last four seasons. In 2019, McVay has been quick to abandon the run game when things are going well. He has turned to a pass-heavy offense. It has clearly not been working. Gurley needs to go back to being the focal point of the offense if they want any chance down the stretch.
It seems as if the Rams are asked most weeks if he is on a snap count or will be playing limited time. They have not expressed any desire to give Gurley a snap count but their actions do not match up with their responses. It seems as though he is being limited in some capacity for whatever reason.
For the Rams it is simple. Their offense is not as good as last season. We can see that. The job of the coaching staff is to figure out why. It has to start with Gurley. He is not getting the ball much and when he does, it has not been productive. The superstar running back needs to demand the ball and make it count when he touches it.
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