In a bit of an unexpected move on Tuesday morning, the Los Angeles Ram inked Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley to a lucrative four-year extension worth up to $60 million with $45 million guaranteed.

There had been no previous talks that the team was aiming to get a new deal done this offseason given that he's under contract through the 2019 campaign. However, Albert Breer of Sports Illustrated is reporting that the Rams picked up their efforts on that end after they witnessed the failed attempt by the Pittsburgh Steelers to ink All-Pro running back Le'Veon Bell to a new deal earlier this month.

Los Angeles was likely looking to pick up those extension talks next summer, but given how things have unfolded with Bell in Pittsburgh with a departure being a realistic option it has pushed them secure a long-term deal with their own star running back.

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In his first three years, Gurley has emerged as one of the top players at his position and is coming off a breakout 2017 campaign that earned him the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award and was in serious contention for the NFL award.

The 23-year-old should have several more highly productive seasons ahead of him that will see him as the centerpiece of the offensive game plan under head coach Sean McVay. Gurley experienced some vast improvement in his overall game becoming a more effective option in the passing game that has made him a more effective offensive weapon.

The fact that this was a quick negotiations process has helped the Rams avoid any possible extension talk hurdles with Gurley next offseason as he's now under contract for the next six years. Beyond that, this should set the mark for helping other running backs across the league such as Bell get paid on their next deals.