That didn’t take long. On Friday, the Falcons formally announced the signing of running back Todd Gurley. 
Gurley has agreed to a one-year deal with Atlanta, less than 24 hours after being let go by the Rams. One important thing to note: Gurley, who has been plagued by injuries, may still need to undergo a physical with the team before the deal is all legal eagle. Of course, that’s not possible at the moment due to the COVID-19 pandemic and the league’s restrictions on travel.
Soon after Gurley was cut loose, we heard that Gurley was interested in joining the Falcons or Dolphins. The Falcons were the perfect fit for Gurley, a University of Georgia product who can occupy the role once filled by Devonta Freeman. Backed by Ito Smith and Brian Hill, Gurley will try to get back to his old form in familiar surroundings.
Gurley was an NFL megastar just a couple of years ago. Between 2017 and 2018, Gurley racked up 40 touchdowns and roughly 4,000 yards from scrimmage. And, in 2018, he signed a four-year, $57.5MM extension with the Rams that rebooted the running back market.
Here’s the breakdown of his new deal, according to ESPN.com’s Adam Schefter (via Twitter). Gurley will earn $11MM in total with $7.5MM coming from the Rams, $6MM on the Falcons’ books, and a $2.5MM offset. It all adds up to a one-year deal that keeps Gurley as one of the NFL’s three highest-paid running backs.
Unfortunately, the knee injury he suffered near the end of the ’18 campaign changed things and hasn’t looked like the same player since. Father Time is not kind to running backs; nor is the injury bug. Still, no one would be surprised if Gurley thrives with the Falcons in his age-26 season.
this will probably be a huge steal
At the very least, they’re not taking any huge risk if he doesn’t perform.
Agreed
I disagree.
If the knee was ok he wouldnt have been cut.
This wasn’t a cap crunch, as much as it was Gurley is done cut him.
For Gurley?
If the knee is ok.
We will see…..
Welcome home. Predictable signing
Please pardon my ignorance. How does Gurley’s salary play out in a situation like this? Is it like baseball where the Rams are responsible for all of his guaranteed money (minus whatever the Falcons are paying him), or is it set up another way in the NFL?
He was cut his salary with the Rams is over. Guaranteed money is bonus money he has already received when signed . What a team can do to reduce the cap hit is spread the bonus money across the length of the contract . If they cut the person early all money left on that bonus is a cap hit right there and then
Gurley is collecting 7.5 million from Rams this year regardless of what Falcons pay him. He already had that much of his salary guaranteed for this season before being cut.
They compiled the cap hit into 2 years 20 million in dead money
Ouch!
Has anybody heard the amount he has signed for? I know it’s a one year deal, but for how much?
Only seen one source on twitter, from a news reporter in Atlanta saying he’s heard it will be approximately $5M.
I would have liked to see him take a season off an try to get that knee taken care of. He’s only 25, and seems like a smart enough guy that he hasn’t blew through 40 million dollars already. Of course I have no idea what’s going on with is knee, except that it’s an issue. With today’s medicine you would think something could be done with it. The guy is fun to watch when he’s healthy, hopefully we will get to see a little of the old Gurley again!
The problem is his condition is degenerative. It wont get better but worse over time. Youre right though with regards to today’s medicine. He should have a bionic knee by now.
He is a smart guy, super nice guy too. Give us a really friendly deal here Todd, you have guaranteed money coming anyway!
Regardless of knee, he’s a steal for a 1yr $5mil when considering what kind of production the Falcons will receive in 2020 between Gurley and a rookie RB walking into the NFL.. still anticipate them drafting a good RB in the 3rd/4th round.
Plus, this is the perfect offense for Gurley- pass heavy. The guy has his own catch/run skills and he’s a RB who knows how to get into the endzone inside the 20yd, something the Falcons desperately need
“Regardless of the body part most important for a running back”
Good signing for the hawks and it’s only going to cost them about 6mil.
Hawks still have major holes to fill but Gurley is a nice signing
The Hawks play in the NBA. These are the Falcons…..
Typical Falcons. This will be a bad signing. I can already hear Julio Jones whining about another extension.