Running back Todd Gurley was initially released Thursday by the Rams and was swooped up quickly in free agency as the Atlanta Falcons signed him to a one-year, $6 million deal on Friday. Because the release occurred after he was due $7.2 million for his Rams contract, and the Falcons have offset $2.5 million to make the numbers work, Gurley’s total salary will be $11 million, which keeps him among the top three highest-paid running backs. The deal is pending a physical.
After releasing running Devonta Freeman, Atlanta welcomes home Gurley who played at the University of Georgia from 2012-2014. By signing an elite running back, the Falcons have taken pressure off quarterback Matt Ryan to win the majority of games through the air as defenses will now have to account for Gurley’s production. Atlanta’s running game ranked 30th in the league last year and they hope to improve in that area with Gurley’s arrival.
During his five seasons with the Rams, the 25-year-old rushed for 5,504 yards and 58 touchdowns. He also demonstrated exceptional pass-catching ability with 218 receptions for 2,090 yards and 12 touchdowns.
However, his production had wavered last season after suffering a knee injury late in the 2018 season. Before the playoffs that year, Gurley sat out the final two games and his was barely effective in the NFC Championship game and Super Bowl, rushing for 48 yards combined.
In 2019, the former Georgia Bulldog rushed for 12 touchdowns, but had a career-low in carries (223) and yards (857), averaging 3.8 yards per carry. His career average is 4.3. Although his usage rate was down this year, the Falcons hope Gurley gets his old mojo back as he returns to a city he’s largely familiar with.
