I remember when I first saw Todd Gurley when he was playing college ball in his days at Georgia as a Bulldog and just being amazed by him each and every Saturday. He also kept the tradition of Georgia Bulldog running backs alive with what he was doing on the field. Todd earned all-SEC honors in 2012 and 2013. During his junior year, he tore his ACL and missed the final three games of that season. Despite that, the Rams selected him with the tenth overall pick in the 2015 NFL Draft and he would go on to win the offensive rookie of the year. He’s had a nice start to his career in the NFL and today, the Rams gave him a contract extension, a deal that’s four years and worth $60 million and $45 million guaranteed, making him the highest paid running back in the league today
He’s become a superstar in the league and one of the best all-around football players in the league and an elite guy at his position. I really don’t think the Rams offense is as explosive as they were a season ago without Todd doing what he did. When he first came into the league, everybody assumed he was just a sprinter that used his speed to blow past people, they were wrong. He’s the mix of a speed back that can power himself for additional yards. I admire this guy and his agility because you can give him the football multiple times and something will happen. He’s not just a runner either as he can also catch the football and make defenses look silly in the passing game. His versatility is some of the best in the league and he had several games where he had at least 100 yards rushing and over 70 yards receiving. He had a breakout year last season and was an MVP candidate. He was my pick to win the league’s MVP, but he won offensive player of the year after a season where he accounted for 19 touchdowns (13 rushing, six receiving), rushed for 1,305 yards and had 788 yards receiving.
This deal comes a day after the Steelers and Le’Veon Bell couldn’t come to an agreement on a contract extension and it makes you wonder what will happen with that situation before the season starts. I liked that the Rams extended him, but what about Aaron Donald? You even gave Brandin Cooks a six-year extension and that guy hasn’t even sipped Gatorade in a Rams uniform. It’s just one interesting theory to me.
