Could RB Todd Gurley face the LA Rams twice a year in 2021?

The LA Rams are not the only NFL team to use one-year contracts to audition an NFL veteran whose fit, durability, or production is in question over a long-term role with the team. Sadly, other teams have mastered the obvious as well. Of course, it all depends on the situation, the player, the team, and the amount of available salary-cap space.

A year ago, the LA Rams decided to release long time favorite and offensive leader running back Todd Gurley. It was not an easy decision then, any more than the easy decision over quarterback Jared Goff this year.  But it was a necessary one.

The outcome of that decision resulted in a one-year prove-it deal signed to play for the Atlanta Falcons. Gurley remained a bell cow in the backfield, carrying the ball a whopping 195 times in the Falcons offense. While he could only muster 678 yards on the ground, he did manage to find the end zone a whopping nine times. And he added another 164 yards to the offense as a receiver.

Former LA Rams RB Todd Gurley still gifted

For comparison’s sake, the combined production of Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson was 239 carries for 1,043 yards and 10 rushing touchdowns. They combined to add 321 yards and a touchdown through the air as well. Gurley may not churn the football as he once could, but he still can fight his way for a score with the best of them. And now, some have linked him to return to the west coast.

Now, this is by no means a ‘sky is falling’ proclamation. From the moment any player is traded away or released, the chance of facing that player in a future game increases. Todd Gurley has lost something since he once played for the LA Rams.

But he is still dangerous and if and when an offense gets close to the endzone, Gurley can get a touchdown. That ability to score likely has him on the radar of many teams for a rotational role. To date, the LA Rams have not faced Gurley on the opposite sideline. But that could change in 2021. He could fill a niche role with either the Seattle Seahawks, the Arizona Cardinals, or the San Francisco 49ers.

Currently, Gurley is rumored to have interest from the LA Chargers and the 49ers. The Seahawks’ new offensive coordinator Shane Waldron is very familiar with Gurley, so keep an eye on Gurley to Seattle rumors. For that matter, he is a perfect complement to the Arizona Cardinals offense as well. The Rams haven’t faced Gurley yet, but that could change in 2021. In fact, the LA Rams could face Todd Gurley twice.