Getty Image / Thearon W. Henderson
The NFL offseason has arrived which means it’s time to speculate about which major moves we could see in the near future. Trades will happen, new contracts will be signed and some teams will look drastically different next season compared to last season.
One of those teams that could look very different next year is the Los Angeles Rams, at least if you ask ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry. In a bold offseason predictions story that took a look at every team around the NFL, Thiry thinks that Los Angeles could look to move Gurley and his massive contract.
“In a pinch to find space under the salary cap, the Rams will attempt to trade running back Todd Gurley.
Whether L.A. can pull it off remains another question, given Gurley’s massive contract that includes $45 million in guarantees and runs through the 2023 season, as well as the uncertainty that continues to surround the long-term health of his surgically repaired left knee.”
Again, this is just a prediction on Thiry’s part, but talk about a huge, huge move.
Gurley is coming off of a disappointing season where he picked up just 857 yards on the ground and 12 rushing touchdowns in 15 games played, which aren’t great numbers to a guy signed to a $60 million contract.
The 25-year-old signed his massive deal in July of 2018 fresh off of his second consecutive 1,200+ yard seasons. Gurley’s knee, which he had surgery on back in 2014, has since been a bit of an issue. Add that to the massive contract attached to him and trading him could be a near-impossible move for the Rams.
Then again, we’re talking about a guy that was the premiere back in the league just a few seasons ago. Whether he can ever find that form again is a mystery, but if he could then some teams around the league would certainly take a shot on him.