Todd Gurley has made a name for himself in the NFL in no time. That landed the running back a record contract. But now the Los Angeles Rams seem to be having second thoughts about the three-time pro bowler.

Munich/Los Angeles – Contracts for running backs are always a special Vabanque game.

The risk of injury for the ball carriers is simply a bit higher than for other positions. After all, they often dig their way through the turmoil of massive linemen.

All the more remarkable was the record deal that the Los Angeles Rams brought Todd Gurley in summer 2018 after three years in the NFL. For four seasons, the tenth pick of the 2015 draft will earn up to $57.5 million – a record deal for running backs.

Gurley’s record contract includes guaranteed $45 million
Due to the drawn Fifth Year Option, the contract, which guarantees Gurley 45 million US dollars, will not come into effect until the coming season and is valid until 2023. But even now the Rams seem to regret the agreement at that time.

At least that is the conclusion to be drawn from the latest developments in LA.

As NFL insider Ian Rapoport reports, a meeting between the club’s officials and Gurley is planned. Head coach Sean McVay, in particular, insists on the meeting before a decision is made about further cooperation.

“Dismissal would be extremely difficult”
“This obviously won’t be an easy decision,” explains Rapoport: “Dismissing him to save money would be theoretically possible, but extremely difficult in terms of Cap Space.

According to “Spotrac”, the Gurley contract, which comes with a 21 million US dollar signing bonus, will cost the Rams a dead cap of 12.6 million US dollars in the 2020 season. For Rapoport, a dismissal would therefore be “astronomical”.

As NFL reporter Tom Pelissero reports, the amount would even rise to more than 20 million US dollars if the separation were to take place immediately.

Rapoport considers a trade to be more realistic, but also emphasizes: “No matter what they decide, they should do it before mid-March if possible”. After all, on 20 March – the third day of the new season – Gurley would have to be paid a bonus of 7.55 million US dollars if he is still in the squad then.