Former Georgia and Los Angeles Rams star running back Todd Gurley is coming home!
Ian Rapoport of the NFL Network reported the positive news for Falcons fans on Friday. Rapoport reported that the Falcons were considering trading for Gurley before his release last Thursday.
“Todd Gurley has already landed home: The former #Rams star is signing a 1-year deal with the #Falcons, source says (as @Schultz_Report reported). Atlanta had some talks with the #Rams about trading for the former UGA RB before he was released,” Rapoport tweeted.
There were some concerns about Gurley not being able to replicate the level of dominance he displayed early in career because he developed arthritis in his knee. Todd Gurley led the league with 13 rushing touchdowns in 2017 and with 17 in 2018.
According to Jeff Schultz of The Athletic, the Falcons were interested in Gurley this entire time but his knee issues worried them, as well as what signing him would do for their cap space.
The Rams took Gurley with the No. 10 pick in the 2015 NFL Draft. He spent five seasons with them and was going into the third season of a four-year, $57.5 million extension. This was the biggest running back deal in NFL history but the Rams cut him on Thursday to save $10.5 million in guaranteed salary for next season.
Gurley is coming off a tough season. He had career-lows with 223 carries and 857 rushing yards but still scored 12 touchdowns in 15 games.