Rams release Todd Gurley

The Los Angeles Rams have announced that they’ve released running back Todd Gurley. He was set to begin a four-year contract extension next season but he is now a free agent.

The team currently had 2019 third round draft pick Darrell Henderson as the top running back on the depth chart.

Later on Thursday afternoon, the Rams released a statement about their now former RB.

“I would like to thank Todd for his many contributions to the Rams, on and off the field, since I have been here,” Sean McVay said. “He has meant a lot to my growth as a coach and leader and he will always be remembered as one of the all-time great Rams. I wish him nothing but the best.”

General manager Les Snead continued: “Todd did this by becoming one of the greatest competitors in this league, but more than that, he served as a great teammate to his fellow players and ambassador for our organization, and those traits speak volumes to who he is as a human being.”

Gurley, 25, rushed for 5,404 yards in his Rams career with 58 touchdowns, leading the NFL in rushing scores in both 2017 and 2018. He was named as a first team All-Pro in both of those campaigns. Gurley also caught 218 passes for 2,090 yards and 12 touchdowns, including 788 yards in 2017 when he led the NFL in yards from scrimmage.

Gurley led the league in total touchdowns in both 2017 and 2018 but he began to slow down during the home stretch of that latter season. Even as L.A. went back to the Super Bowl for the first time since 2001, Gurley didn’t seem to be quite the same player that he had been prior to that.

Gurley rushed for a career-low 857 yards last season with just 3.8 yards per carry. It is rumored that he would be interested in joining either the Miami Dolphins or Atlanta Falcons but now that he is a free agent he should have a few more suitors. The Rams save $4.6 million by releasing him before a bonus that was due on Friday.