There was once a time when former Rams and current Falcons running back, Todd Gurley, was to be the headlining attraction for the opening of SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles.
Emmanuel Morgan of the Los Angeles Times sat down with Gurley to discuss his time with the Rams and his upcoming visit to the newest stadium in the NFL.
Caught up with Todd Gurley about how things ended in L.A., how things are going in Atlanta and how he’ll feel playing in SoFi Stadium on Sunday: https://t.co/WLUCtNXygg
— Emmanuel Morgan (@_EmmanuelMorgan) December 9, 2020
Gurley was asked how he felt playing in the stadium he watched get built from the ground up as he prepares to step into the finished product for the first time on Sunday.
“I helped create that stadium,” said Gurley, “so why not try to go out there and try to do damage?”
After a strong start with the Falcons, the former All-Pro running back’s role with the team has been limited over the past few weeks, Gurley was featured on 37 and 33 percent of offensive snaps in Atlanta’s two games coming off the bye week.
Falcons head coach Raheem Morris even stated that Gurley is being limited to situational-use now, particularly in the red zone.
“We’re playing him a little situationally now. He’s battling some things like all of us this time of year. Being one of the better red zone runners in the game, we certainly wanted to go to him toward the end.”
Not to mention, Atlanta is in the bottom third of the league in run percentage with 39 percent and the team averages only average 3.7 yards per rush, the second-lowest in the league.
With Gurley set to become a free agent again in March, it’s unlikely the Falcons resign him to another one-year deal, however, this would be at the discretion of the new head coach and general manager, of course.
The former 10th overall selection in the 2015 draft was given a $60 million contract extension back in 2018. Needing the money to re-sign QB Jared Goff, CB Jalen Ramsey and DT Aaron Donald, among others, the Rams needed to part ways with their former MVP-caliber runner.
In 2017 and 2018, Gurley led the NFL in touchdowns and went on to become the NFL’s Offensive Player of the Year in 2017. Gurley was also a leading factor in getting the Rams back to the Super Bowl in 2018, after more than a decade-long absence. A Super Bowl that the Rams would eventually lose to New England.
After rushing for nearly 1,300 yards in the regular season, Gurley only managed to account for 45 yards on 14 carries in the NFC Championship game and the Super Bowl. Despite claiming to be healthy, Gurley’s pitch count carried over into 2019 where he recorded career-lows in rushing attempts (223) and yards (857), although he did score 12 touchdowns.
However, since leaving Los Angeles, Guley seems to have no ill-will towards his former team.
“It’s just a part of life. I grew as a player and a person there, and I appreciate L.A. for everything. It was a good time, man, it was a good five years with the Rams and a good four years in L.A., for sure. It’s always going to be home.”
So while the Falcons won’t be lining up against his former LA team this Sunday, he will be highly motivated to show out in the stadium he watched get built. The 4-8 Falcons will take on the other L.A. team, the 3-9 Chargers, this Sunday as Atlanta tries to salvage whatever is left in another forgetful season.
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