NFL Rumors are hot on LA Rams discussing trade of RB Todd Gurley

NFL Rumors are heating up now, reporting that the LA Rams are currently discussing the trade of running back, Todd Gurley

The time is now for the LA Rams resolving the issue of running back Todd Gurley. Evidence of the Rams moving to trade away from the running back has been building this week.  We know that the word had leaked that the Rams were open to trading either RB Gurley or WR Brandin Cooks.

We also knew that one claim suggested that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers were interested in trading for both RB Gurley and WR Cooks.

Finally, due to the timing of his roster bonus, we know that the LA Rams were giving serious thought to outright cutting RB Todd Gurley if they were not able to find a trading partner.

Today? The folks at Pro Football Focus suggest that a trading partner is in current discussions with the Rams.

While there will be plenty of doubts about a parting of ways between the LA Rams and running back Todd Gurley, I can see this as a true win-win move for both sides.

For Gurley, he is still an incredible talent and can score a lot of points in both the running game or the passing game in the right system and on the right team.  Right now, the LA Rams may not be that right team.  2019 proved that Gurley needs a better quality offensive line to put up 1,000 yards or better. And while the Rams offensive line will be better this year, it will likely not be at THAT level. Gurley is a feature back, while the Rams may be leaning into a 49ers style offense where the team uses a running back committee in 2020.

For the Rams, they tried to pay too many offensive weapons and ignored all other aspects of the team.  Per OvertheCap.com, the Rams’ current contracts have sunk 2/3rds of the 2020 salary cap into the team’s offense. And we know that the team has invested almost nothing into the team’s offensive line. So where did it all go?  Gurley, Cooks, and Goff.  I won’t argue the value of the contracts, merely that the Rams put all their eggs into too few baskets in terms of investing limited money.

As for the team acquiring Gurley, they would have an expensive, but still, manageable contract to deal with.

Which teams could be in discussions with the Rams? My first guess remains on the Buccaneers, who would be motivated to add weapons for incoming veteran QB Tom Brady. I would not rule out the Miami Dolphins either.

Todd Gurley is a star and has already earned a place in the hearts of all LA Rams fans.  And he deserves to be paid like one.  But the Rams were not able to resist meting out salary cap dollars to create opportunities to create the right situation for him to repeat that level of production.

Rather than expect him to carry the team’s offense in 2020, I think it’s time for him to have a situation where he simply needs to be Todd Gurley. Whether or not he’s earned $17,500,000 for 2020 is your call.  But you cannot convince me he hasn’t earned a chance to shine on the right offense.  If the options are either to overwork him on the Rams’ offense in 2020, cut him outright this week, or trade him to a new NFL team? I’d rather the Rams trade him.