Contract makes Gurley highest-paid RB
IRVINE, Calif. — Todd Gurley was the key to the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive transformation last season, and the Rams have rewarded their star running back with a gamechanging contract. The NFL’s offensive player of the year agreed to a four-year, $60 million contract extension through 2023 on Tuesday.
A person with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms weren’t publicly announced, confirmed to the Associated Press that Gurley’s contract extension contains $45 million in guaranteed money, a $20 million signing bonus and the NFL’s largest average annual value for a running back contract. ESPN first reported the terms.
General manager Les Snead said the Rams wanted “to get ahead of the curve” by signing Gurley two years before his rookie contract expires. They’ve also set a new benchmark for running back salaries to secure a cornerstone of a team with Super Bowl aspirations.
“He’s a big part of who we are and where we’re going,” Snead said. “It’s not only Todd, but a lot of guys we want to make Rams for a long time and be part of our core.”
Gurley isn’t due to report to training camp at UC Irvine until Wednesday. His first public reaction was to post a blackand-white Instagram photo of himself with a broad smile and the caption: “Amazing…”
Gurley was a league standout in his third NFL season while playing in first-year coach Sean McVay’s explosive offense. He finished second in the NFL with 1,305 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and six more TDs.
Gurley’s deal sets a new standard in the market for ballcarriers such as Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott and Arizona’s David Johnson — and for Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell after he plays out this season on the franchise tag.
Report: Falcons’ Jones to hold out
Falcons star wide receiver Julio Jones does not plan to report for the start of the team’s training camp Thursday, according to a NFL Network report.
Jones can be fined $40,000 a day for not reporting to training camp.
Jones and his agent, Jimmy Sexton, were informed that he would not get a new contract after the All-Pro wide receiver skipped optional and mandatory offseason activities in a contract dispute.
Jones has three years remaining on the five-year $71.2 million extension he signed 2015.
Titans parting ways with OLB Dodd
Tennessee announced it is releasing outside linebacker Kevin Dodd, an unceremonious finish for a former secondround pick who never came close to living up his draft position.
The move comes two days after the team placed Dodd, the 33rd pick in the 2016 draft, on the “did not report” list.
Jets’ Revis retires after 11-year career
Cornerback Darrell Revis officially retired after signing a ceremonial one-day contract to end his career as a New York Jet. The Jets also inducted the four-time All Pro and seventime Pro Bowler into their legends community.
“I put my heart and soul into wearing the green and white,” Revis said. “I’m overwhelmed. I’m excited.”
Revis was drafted 14th overall in 2007 and played with the Jets for eight of his 11 seasons, eventually ending his NFL tenure with the Chiefs. In 108 games with the Jets, he had 424 tackles, 25 interceptions, nine fumble recoveries and three touchdowns on interception returns.
Odds and ends
Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Baker Mayfield, the top overall pick in this year’s draft, signed a four-year, $32 million contract with the Browns. … Bengals owner Mike Brown says President Donald Trump’s numerous tweets attacking NFL players for kneeling during the national anthem have inflamed and prolonged the issue, which he sees as one of the league’s biggest distractions. Brown says he’s never met Trump and doesn’t think he should offer the president advice. … The Vikings have canceled practice on Friday so the team can attend the memorial service for offensive line coach Tony Sparano, who died unexpectedly of a heart condition. Sparano, 56, died of arteriosclerotic heart disease, or hardening of the arteries, on Sunday according to the Hennepin County medical examiner’s office.