NFL Rumors: LA Rams RB Todd Gurley return in question

Gurley’s 2018 playoff disappearing act

All of that would be okay, under normal circumstances. But questions about Gurley’s durability are widespread now, and the downturn in Gurley’s production only increased the volume to those questions. Those questions come with a significant price tag.  Gurley is set for another installment to his roster bonus at the third day of the new football season. In 2020, that date is March 21, 2020.  On that date, Gurley will earn an additional $7,550,000.  Beyond that, his $12,550,000 roster bonus becomes fully guaranteed (all salary cap numbers used here per overthecap.com)

That seems like an expensive bill to pay for the number of questions hanging over Gurley’s durability and overall health. His cap number for the 2020 season figures in at $17.25 million, or 8.6 percent of the total Rams salary cap allocation directed to one under-performing running back.

Gurley had ACL surgery on his left knee as a running back for the University of Georgia. It was that left knee which fell under the national spotlight. While he had great seasons in 2017 and 2018, his knee became the focus of national media late into 2018, when he missed the final two games and played nearly a cameo role throughout the playoffs. In Super Bowl 53, when the Rams needed him most, he rushed just 10 times for 35 yards.  Conversely, it was the legs of veteran running back CJ Anderson who stormed the LA Rams through the 2018 NFL playoffs.