Rams release two-time All-Pro running back Todd Gurley

rams-running-back-todd-gurley

Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs for a touchdown during the second half against the Green Bay Packers, Sunday, Oct. 28, 2018, in Los Angeles. (Denis Poroy/AP)

The Los Angeles Rams have released two-time All-Pro running back Todd Gurley, the team announced on Thursday.

The Rams were expected to either release or trade the 25-year-old as the team were due to pay Gurley a portion of guaranteed money at 4 p.m. ET.

The Rams signed Gurley to a four-year, $57.5-million contract with $45 million guaranteed in July 2018.

A standout at Georgia, Gurley was selected by the then-St. Louis Rams with the 10th overall pick in 2015 despite suffering a torn ACL in November 2014. The risk paid off for the Rams early as Gurley galloped for more than 1,000 yards on the ground and 10 touchdowns in his first season, earning rookie of the year honours.

After Gurley and the entire team struggled in 2016 (the franchise’s first back in L.A.), the Baltimore native exploded with back-to-back All-Pro seasons in 2017 and 2018 as the new-look Rams took the NFL by storm under head coach Sean McVay. Gurley led the NFL in total touchdowns in both of those seasons and was named offensive player of the year in 2017 when he racked up an NFL-leading 2,093 yards from scrimmage.

But the 2018 regular season also ended with injury for Gurley, who struggled throughout that post-season despite the Rams making it all the way to the Super Bowl. Los Angeles managed just three points in that game against the New England Patriots, and Gurley was a non-factor.

Gurley played 15 games in 2019, but clearly was not the same player. The Rams finished the season 9-7, missed the post-season and rumours surrounding Gurley’s future began immediately after the season ended.

Just five years into his NFL career, Gurley’s potential will be tempting for some teams, and the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins have already been reported as possible destinations. However, the uncertainty surrounding team physicals due to the COVID-19 outbreak could slow Gurley’s market.

Los Angeles has also cut ties with veteran linebacker Clay Matthews after just one season, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Matthews recorded eight sacks in 2019, his most since 2014, but the move will reportedly save the team more than $3 million in cap space.

The 33-year-old Matthews was a six-time Pro Bowler over 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Rams last off-season.

[relatedlinks]

When submitting content, please abide by our submission guidelines, and avoid posting profanity, personal attacks or harassment. Should you violate our submissions guidelines, we reserve the right to remove your comments and block your account. Sportsnet reserves the right to close a story’s comment section at any time.