Rams release Gurley, Matthews
LOS ANGELES: The Los Angeles Rams released running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Clay Matthews, the National Football League team announced on Thursday.
The high-priced Gurley was reportedly let go because of the large financial hit his multi-million dollar contract had on the team’s salary cap.
Gurley had yet to begin the massive extension he signed prior to the 2018 season. He has a cap hit of US$17.2 million in 2020, the first season of a fouryear, $57 million extension he signed in 2018.
“Damn I got fired on my day off #QuarantineAndChill,” Gurley wrote on Twitter.
The Atlanta Falcons, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, Buffalo Bills, Los Angeles Chargers, Miami Dolphins and Kansas City Chiefs were among the teams interested in Gurley.
Matthews has recorded 519 tackles, 91 sacks and six interceptions in 156 career games with the Rams and the Green Bay Packers.
Meanwhile, Denver Broncos quarterback Joe Flacco was told on Thursday he would be released after failing his physical, the NFL club announced.
The 35-year-old joins a host of signal callers trying to find a new home, including Carolina’s Cam Newton and Tampa Bay’s Jameis Winston, a free agent expendable with the Buccaneers set to sign six-time Super Bowl winner Tom Brady.
Flacco, a 12-year NFL veteran led the Baltimore Ravens to a Super Bowl victory in 2013, was obtained last season by Denver with hopes of delivering the Broncos into the play-offs for the first time since 2015.
But Denver began 0-4 and Flacco suffered a season-ending neck injury in the eighth week of the campaign, finishing with a 2-6 record while throwing for 1,822 yards and six touchdowns with five interceptions.
Denver appear set to replace Flacco with 23-year-old Drew Lock.