Los Angeles Rams announced on Tuesday that they have agreed to a contract extension with their All-Pro running back Todd Gurley. The deal will keep Gurley with the organization through 2023. ESPN‘s Adam Schefter reports that the deal is worth $60 million and includes $45 million in guarantees and $20 million signing bonus.
#LARams + @TG3II agree to terms on a 4-year extension.
Read 📰 » https://t.co/Tbj3f7Kwy2 pic.twitter.com/oOPTPiY56G
— Los Angeles Rams (@RamsNFL) July 24, 2018
The deal Todd Gurley received represents a new benchmark for contracts given to running backs. Besides having the most substantial guarantee given to an RB, Gurley’s extension also has largest per-year average given to players that played this position.
“What a special player he is,” – said Rams’ head coach Sean McVay at the press conference announcing the deal. “I think last year’s production isn’t really a reflection of the value he provides because he did such a great job, but he’s so much more than that to our team — the way that he competes in protection, the way that he works, and the way that rubs off on his teammates. And it’s a great reflection of the job by Les, [VP football and business administration] Tony Pastoors, and [EVP of football operations] Kevin Demoff to be able to kind of target a lot of these core guys.“
“Like Sean mentioned, [he’s a] big part of who we are and where we’re going,” – added Rams’ general manager Les Snead. “And it’s not only Todd but a lot of other guys that we want to make Rams for a long time and be a part of the core that we’re building here.“
Rams took Todd Gurley 10th overall in the 2015 NFL Draft. He went on to rush for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns in his rookie season, which got him NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award. After a less productive sophomore season, in which he rushed for 885 yards and six touchdowns, Gurley bounced back in 2017. He had 1,305 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, while also adding 788 receiving yards and six touchdowns. Besides leading the league in rushing touchdowns, he was also named AP NFL Offensive Player of the Year.
