Arguably one of the best running backs in the NFL, Todd Gurley of the Los Angeles Rams just signed a contract extension of four years, worth $90 million. Within this contract, $45 million will be guaranteed to Gurley.
Todd Gurley’s new 4-year, $60M extension that includes $45M Gtd is the largest guarantee given to a running back, the largest per-year average for any running back, and gives other RBs such as David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott a new benchmark.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2018
Todd Gurley Signs Four-Year Extension With Los Angeles Rams
Back in the 2015 NFL Draft, the Rams selected Gurley with the 15th overall pick. As a rookie, the running back was impressive with 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns on the ground.
His sophomore year showed some decline for Gurley, where he struggled to maintain the level in his rookie season. Todd averaged 3.2 yards per carry on his way to 885 rushing yards, which was the lowest of his career.
It was last season where Gurley shined for the team, cementing himself as one of the premier backs in the NFL. The Rams star running back finished the year with 1,305 rushing yards, 788 receiving yards and 19 total touchdowns while the team went 11-5 to capture the NFC West title. Gurley is one of three players in NFL history, joining Marshall Faulk and O.J. Simpson, to tally 2,000 yards from scrimmage, 10 rushing touchdowns and five touchdown catches in the same year.
With the new contract extension, it will make contract negotiations very interesting for players like Le’Veon Bell, who decided to enter free agency after one more season with the Pittsburgh Steelers, in order to try and make more money. Expect a team with lots of cap space like the Indianapolis Colts or the New York Jets to take a splash on Bell, surpassing Gurley’s $15 million per year for four years deal.
Despite finishing second in the MVP voting, Gurley still has room to improve as he enters his fourth year in the league. But if he continues on the same path as last season, he will quickly become one of the most dominant offensive players in the NFL.
“I feel fortunate to be able to work with players like Todd,” Rams head coach Sean McVay said. “Even as great of a player as Todd is, I think there’s always room for improvement. Expect big things from him next year.”
