Earlier this week the LA Rams decided to save money by releasing running back Todd Gurley instead of paying him over $10 million in guaranteed money that would have been owed to him if they would have kept him.
Rams are releasing RB Todd Gurley, per source. Cutting him today spares the Rams from having to pay him an additional $10.5 million due today. Rams spent weeks exploring a trade for him. Now Gurley will be free to sign with any team.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 19, 2020
Despite cutting him, the Rams still had to pay Gurley $7 million in roster bonuses owed to him.
The Rams announce the release of Todd Gurley. He's owed a $7.55 million roster bonus (there are offsets) for 2020, and the team has an additional $12.6 million in dead cap money to be accounted for.
End of an era in LA.
— Albert Breer (@AlbertBreer) March 19, 2020
Gurley eventually signed with the Atlanta Falcons a day later.
Breaking: Todd Gurley and the Atlanta Falcons have reached a one-year deal, according to @Schultz_Report.
Gurley was released Thursday by the Los Angeles Rams. pic.twitter.com/kkDEmqEi5X
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) March 20, 2020
When the Falcons announced the signing on Instagram Gurley trolled the Rams about the $7 million they were forced to pay him.
Todd Gurley's comment 😂 pic.twitter.com/M7IwQChdb2
— Dov Kleiman (@NFL_DovKleiman) March 20, 2020