When requested if he was “calling it quits,” Gurley informed Siciliano, “I don’t suppose there’s any query about that one.” Siciliano made sure, asking Gurley to substantiate that he wasn’t coming again to the NFL, to which Gurley replied, “Yeah, most undoubtedly.”
Gurley joined the league for the Rams’ final yr in St. Louis after getting drafted tenth general in 2015 out of the College of Georgia. Regardless of having simply recovered from a torn ACL in his closing collegiate season, he wasted no time in turning into a family title, exploding onto the scene with a 1,106-yard rookie season that noticed him rating ten touchdowns and win Offensive Rookie of the 12 months. The staff’s first yr in Los Angeles noticed some rising pains that had been felt by Gurley, as nicely, as he solely racked up 885 speeding yards and 6 touchdowns, a little bit of a sophomore hunch for the younger again.
Gurley’s third season noticed him discover his stride. He turned in back-to-back All-Professional seasons and was 2017’s Offensive Participant of the 12 months. In 2017, Gurley rushed for 1,305 yards for 13 touchdowns and added 788 receiving yards for six touchdowns, incomes him a four-year, $60MM contract extension, together with $45MM assured, that made him the highest-paid working again within the league. His 2018 season erased any notions of patrons’ regret as he rushed for 1,251 yards for 17 touchdowns, including on 580 receiving yards for 4 touchdowns. Gurley’s burst of success resulted in staff success, as nicely, as Gurley led the 2017 Rams to the franchise’s first playoff look since 2004. Though that season resulted in a Wild Card loss to the Falcons, the staff would persevere in 2018 with a berth in Tremendous Bowl LIII, successful the convention however shedding the season finale to the Patriots.
Gurley’s All-Professional-numbers deflated a bit in 2019 and, though he totaled 1,064 scrimmage yards and 14 complete touchdowns, the staff completed solely 9-7, lacking the playoffs. Though he didn’t miss a lot sport time in any respect, arthritis in Gurley’s left knee contributed to the lower in manufacturing. Seeing the writing on the wall, the Rams launched Gurley, not prepared to take an opportunity on his lingering knee points.
After leaving the Rams, Gurley signed a one-year cope with the Falcons. Whereas sharing a backfield with Brian Hill and Ito Smith, Gurley was capable of rack up 678 speeding yards for 9 touchdowns, persevering with to point out an effectiveness within the redzone.
The 2021 offseason got here and went, and Gurley remained unsigned. Many rumors linked him to his birthplace in Baltimore, because the Ravens had seen J.Ok. Dobbins, Gus Edwards, and Justice Hill all go down with season-ending accidents earlier than the season even started, however nothing ever materialized, and the Ravens went with a committee of different veterans. Gurley continued to attend however would find yourself sitting out the complete 2021 NFL Season.
Gurley turns into the most recent in a protracted line of examples that present how taking part in working again within the NFL is among the most grinding, thankless jobs in soccer. Get drafted excessive, produce at a excessive degree, and be discarded the second you begin to present any indicators of damage or tear. Operating backs’ careers are usually notoriously brief, and, sadly for individuals who loved watching him, Gurley proves to be no exception. However he shined brightly throughout his transient but productive keep within the NFL and was justly rewarded for it.
