Not all that long ago, Todd Gurley was the highest-paid running back in league history and arguably the best all-around tailback in the NFL. However, an arthritic condition in his left knee has turned Gurley from a two-time first-team All-Pro and NFL Offensive Player of the Year to a mediocre player. Gurley, a free agent, is officially looking for a new team after his 2020 club, the Atlanta Falcons, signed running back Mike Davis, and SportsLine offers odds on where Gurley will play in 2021.
Carolina makes a lot of sense as a backup to another former All-Pro, Christian McCaffrey. With McCaffrey limited to only three games in 2020, Davis had a fine year as his backup with a career-high 642 yards rushing and six touchdowns and a career-best 59 receptions for 373 yards and two touchdowns. On Tuesday, Davis signed a two-year deal worth up to $5.5 million to essentially take Gurley's spot on the Falcons. Gurley played high school football in North Carolina for what that's worth.
Gurley, still just 26, rushed for nine touchdowns (tied 11th in NFL) in 15 games last year, but averaged just 3.5 yards on his 195 carries (678 yards) – his second season in a row below 4.0 yards per carry. Gurley also caught just 25 balls for 164 yards and zero scores in 2020. He's simply not a featured back these days and not among CBS Sports' Pete Prisco's Top 100 NFL free agents.
San Francisco could be a landing spot as well, and Gurley has gone on record previously as to liking how Coach Kyle Shanahan uses his backs – which is essentially how Sean McVay did in Gurley's heyday with the Rams: "Kyle, he knows how to dial it up. Even dealing with all the injuries (in 2020) this year with the 49ers, he was still able to put points up with the backup quarterbacks and whoever was in there at receiver or running back. I've definitely thought about that (playing for the 49ers)."
If Gurley wants to go ring chasing, he could fit in a backfield in Kansas City with Clyde Edwards-Helaire. The Chiefs recently released tailback Damien Williams after he opted-out of the 2020 season, and Coach Andy Reid added veteran Le'Veon Bell last season, so he's not afraid to get guys with big egos.
Denver let Phillip Lindsay walk in free agency – he signed with Houston -- even though he rushed for 1,000 yards in back-to-back seasons in 2018 and 2019. The Broncos, who have Melvin Gordon as a clear No. 1, did sign Mike Boone, who had 71 carries with Minnesota during three seasons when new Broncos general manager George Paton was the Vikings' assistant GM. They also have Royce Freeman.
The Los Angeles Chargers also have been a rumored landing spot as Gurley could provide insurance for Austin Ekeler, who is more of a receiving back. Detroit also had been mentioned, but the Lions are surely off the table after signing Jamaal Williams. Arizona lost Kenyan Drake to free agency; Cardinals GM Steve Keim said he'll "monitor the running back position" but believes Chase Edmonds is "an excellent player." Then again, the Cards are clearly all-in for 2021.
Gurley may have to wait to sign somewhere until guys like Leonard Fournette, Adrian Peterson, Tevin Coleman and James Conner do first and perhaps even until after the draft. Pittsburgh could be in play if Conner doesn't return there. Most believe Fournette will return to Tampa or the Bucs could become a Gurley option.
Via SportsLine oddsmakers: Which team will Todd Gurley be playing for Week 1?
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