Todd Gurley has an ironic smile at the moment, and it’s not hard to know why. The three-time All-Pro running back is just a year away from being unceremoniously launched by the Los Angeles Rams, although it is still productive and has broken franchise records in its time with the organization after receiving the nod as its tenth overall choice in 2015. Gurley’s relationship quickly deteriorated with trainer Sean McVay and the front office in 2019 – leading to his release – and before long they now sent Jared Goff too, in a successful commercial deal that includes him going for Detroit Lions and Matthew Stafford moving his family to Southern California.
Gurley was not at all shocked by the move, given his own recent experience in the City of Angels.
“Well, another situation where I was not surprised again,” said Gurley, via NFL.com. “But you know, I like Goff. I like Goff – he’s a good guy. Nobody cares who a good guy is. I’m glad he can go somewhere and I hope these guys welcome him with Abra arms and don’t make judgments and let him play.
“He’s been the No. 1 choice for a reason, and he still has a lot of ball in him.”
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The situation between Goff and McVay began to derail over the course of 2020, leading many to wonder if the decision to start backing up John Wolford in the wild card round against the Seattle Seahawks was just because of Goff’s fractured thumb, or if your motives are hidden. McVay fanned those flames when he left after the team was eliminated from the playoffs and refused to commit to Goff’s future in Los Angeles, making it clear that the defender’s position would not be spared evaluation – suggesting a QB competition to come. Soon after, however, Stafford made it clear that he wanted to leave Detroit, and the rest is recent history.
And just like Gurley before him, Goff is out of Los Angeles about two years after signing a record extension.
Stafford will now become the face of the Rams, while Goff will likely do the same for the Lions, although the latter is not yet guaranteed – even with the contract Detroit is taking on. Time will tell if the most recent choice of first place in the overall ranking (Stafford is also) will recover at Motor City, but Gurley believes that will happen. After spending four years with the Rams in a period that included a Super Bowl appearance, he feels that his ex-QB has a lot to offer the right team.
“It might be a good thing for him, you know?” said Gurley. “Just add an extra chip on your shoulder. Many players like to play with chips on their shoulders, but it is very different when you are a defender in the franchise and take your team to the Super Bowl and two years later you’re different. As I told him – man, love him, I just want him to be happy and keep doing what you’re doing. “