Todd Gurley had been anxiously watching to see if Le’Veon Bell and the Pittsburgh Steelers would reset the running back market this offseason, but it turns out the Los Angeles Rams star is doing that himself.
ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Gurley and the Rams have agreed to a four-year, $60 million extension that includes $45 million guaranteed. The deal features the largest guarantee and largest average annual value of any running back contract in NFL history.
Todd Gurley’s new 4-year, $60M extension that includes $45M Gtd is the largest guarantee given to a running back, the largest per-year average for any running back, and gives other RBs such as David Johnson and Ezekiel Elliott a new benchmark.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) July 24, 2018
Gurley still has two years remaining on his rookie contract, but both he and the Rams obviously wanted to avoid a situation like the one Bell has dealt with in Pittsburgh. Gurley had a career year last year with over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and 19 total touchdowns, so there was no better time for him to cash in.
Twitter had plenty to say about Gurley’s big pay day:
How Levon Bell looked when he heard the Todd Gurley news pic.twitter.com/Rt7B5dC72q
— PapiSwish (@JasonLeeSwisher) July 24, 2018
Todd Gurley gets an extension before Aaron Donald? Uh-oh.
— ProFootballTalk (@ProFootballTalk) July 24, 2018
Le’Veon Bell after seeing Todd Gurley’s contract extension pic.twitter.com/2lhoDlIhk3
— 360°FantasyFootball (@360FFB) July 24, 2018
Todd Gurley gets 4-year, $60 million extension with $45 million guaranteed.
Le'Veon Bell right now: pic.twitter.com/9ccAeHPr9n
— Tyler Brooke (@TylerDBrooke) July 24, 2018
Aaron Donald: May I please have more money?
Rams: absolutely NOT
Todd Gurley & Brandin Cooks: Can we have more money?
Rams: pic.twitter.com/4HRsxTMppY
— Jordan Heck (@JordanHeckFF) July 24, 2018
Brandin Cooks: 5-years, $80M
Todd Gurley: 4-years, $60MAaron Donald: … pic.twitter.com/XwcGhEkhMb
— LeadingNFL ™ (@LeadingNFL) July 24, 2018
Somewhere in a basement in Pittsburgh, Aaron Donald pauses his workout upon hearing the Todd Gurley contract news. pic.twitter.com/1S0O53rsHx
— SeattleRams (@seattlerams_nfl) July 24, 2018
Todd Gurley signing a 4 year, $60 million extension with the Rams. Let's go live to Le'Veon Bell. pic.twitter.com/UvHzbdlgxC
— Alex Kozora (@Alex_Kozora) July 24, 2018
As many noted, Rams defensive lineman Aaron Donald should be next in line for a massive pay day. L.A. has already spent a ton of money this offseason on core players, and the former first-round pick is in the final year of his rookie deal. He should be next.
