The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
» Falcons make Todd Gurley signing official,
The Falcons announced their deal with running back Todd Gurley on Monday.
The team and the former Georgia standout agreed to a deal March 20, but it was contingent on him passing a team physical.
After he was cut by the Los Angeles Rams, Gurley said he received a visit from Falcons wide receiver Julio Jones.
“The dude(s) that came over to my house as soon as I got cut, Julio ( Jones) and Deandre (Baker of the New York Giants), they both pulled up to the house and checked up on me,” Gurley said on former teammate Chris Long’s “Green Light” podcast. “(I was) chopping it up with Julio. That’s why I was like, I’m trying to get to the ‘A.’ Going back to Georgia.
Going back home. I was waiting for it.”
The Falcons had announced all of their freeagent signings except for the deal with Gurley, who has an injury history with his left knee that likely has to be medically investigated. With all of the social distancing and orders to stay home in light of the coronavirus pandemic, the logistics of clearing Gurley took a while.
Last season, Gurley rushed for 857 yards and 12 touchdowns on 223 carries. He also gained 207 yards receiving.
Gurley was selected 10th in the 2015 NFL draft, after the Falcons passed on him and selected Vic Beasley with the eighth overall pick. They didn’t pass on Gurley the second time around. Less than 24 hours after he was released by the Rams, the Falcons agreed to a one-year, $6 million contract with Gurley. The Falcons hope Gurley can add some life to their anemic rushing attack and cause some fans who elected not to show up last season to return to their seats.
Gurley had a strong start to his career with the Rams and was named the NFL offensive player of the year after the 2017 season, but his career slowed over the past two seasons. The Falcons will have to manage Gurley’s left knee injury, according to Dr. David J. Chao, a former NFL team doctor for 17 years and practicing orthopedic surgeon. “The arthritis in his knee will not go away but can be managed,” Chao wrote. “Gurley still has plenty of football left in him, but his carries/ touches will need to be limited as well as his practice time. Going forward, Gurley can still add value as a part-time running back, but teams need to adjust expectations given the health of his left knee.”
The Falcons carried four running backs last season — Devonta Freeman, Brian
Hill, Ito Smith and rookie Qadree Ollison — and averaged 85.1 rushing yards per game, third-fewest in the NFL. Gurley averaged 3.8 yards per carry last season and put up career lows in carries (223) and yards (857). The Rams made the move to release him March 19, several minutes before roughly $10 million in the three-time Pro Bowl selection’s contract became fully guaranteed.
Gurley had a productive but turbulent career at UGA that included a four-game suspension for accepting improper benefits and a major knee surgery. Gurley finished his career ranked second in school history in career touchdowns (44), all-purpose yards (4,322) and rushing yards (3,285). He also held the UGA record for average yards per carry in his career (6.44).