Follow Us
Todd Gurley has been one of the NFL’s elite running backs for years with the Los Angeles Rams. Unfortunately, he suffered a knee injury during the 2018 NFL season that forced him to take a lesser role down the stretch of the season and into the playoffs. He didn’t receive much of a workload the rest of the way and the Rams ended up falling to the New England Patriots in the Super Bowl.
Last offseason, Todd Gurley was one of the most talked about names in the entire league. Reports came out that his knee had an arthritic component and that he may end up seeing that impact his workload. That was the case in 2019, as Sean McVay and the Rams used him very sparingly.
Todd Gurley ended up carrying the football 223 times for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns. He also caught 31 passes for 207 yards and two touchdowns. They weren’t the gaudy numbers that we’re used to seeing from Gurley, but they weren’t horrible.
Now, the Rams have made the brutally tough decision to release Gurley to save money. They tried to find a trade partner for him, but to no avail. Gurley is now set to hit free agency and will be able to choose where to play the next chapter of his career.
So far, teams like the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Miami Dolphins have been expected to pursue him. However, there are a couple of dark horse teams to keep an eye on. Let’s take a look at two of those potential free agency landing spots.
Let’s start this off with the Eagles, who could be in the market for an upgrade at running back. Jordan Howard left for the Miami Dolphins in free agency and Miles Sanders is young. Philadelphia could decide to ride it out and see what Sanders has in year two, or they could sign Gurley and use Sanders as a change of pace back and to take some stress off of Gurley’s knee.
Carson Wentz is one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL and could use a workhorse back like Gurley. Yes, he is still capable of being a workhorse.
Gurley would be what might end up being the final piece of the puzzle for the Eagles’ offense. They are already dangerous, but Gurley would make them nearly impossible for opposing defenses to contain.
Gurley played his college football at Georgia and a return to the state likely would be of interest to him. Add in the fact that the Falcons released Devonta Freeman earlier this offseason and have a major need at running back, and this could be a potential fit.
Matt Ryan and Julio Jones are still one of the top quarterback-wide receiver duos in the entire NFL. Bringing in a star running back like Gurley, assuming he stays healthy, would give them one of the league’s most high-powered offenses once again.
Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff are both on the hot seat this season. If the Falcons don’t play well and make the playoffs, they are likely going to be fired. That gives them even more reason to be aggressive and hope that Gurley can return to the superstar numbers that he was putting up just a couple short seasons ago.