Where will Todd Gurley be playing in 2020? Likely not with Rams as possible trade looms

In July 2018, the Los Angeles Rams signed running back Todd Gurley to four-year contract worth $60 million with $45 million guaranteed. Both the yearly average and guarantee were NFL records for a running back, although both numbers have since been surpassed by the Dallas Cowboys' Ezekiel Elliott.

Gurley was coming off a monster 2017 season where he rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and six scores. The former Georgia star had become the best all-around back in the NFL, and he was equally good for most of the 2018 season as well. Gurley rushed for 1,251 yards and 17 TDs and caught 59 passes for 580 yards and four scores that year.

However, Gurley was limited to 14 games in 2018 due to a knee injury suffered late in the season, and he was a total non-factor in the Super Bowl loss to the New England Patriots. Those knee issues continued into 2019 when Gurley had just 857 yards rushing and 207 receiving, although he did total 14 TDs.

It's common knowledge that in the modern-day NFL, running backs are largely a dime-a-dozen. They can be found on the cheap (Kenyan Drake) or late in the draft (Chris Carson). Gurley is hugely overpaid and the Rams are tight up against the salary cap with huge contracts given to Gurley, Jared Goff and Aaron Donald – plus, L.A. has to extend Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey.

Long story short: Gurley's time with the Rams is likely about to end. Reports are that Gurley will either be traded or released by the Rams no later than Friday. Pro Football Talk's Mike Florio is reporting that the Rams are talking trade with an unknown club.

If a team trades for Gurley, it would take on a cap hit of $13 million in 2020, $9 million in 2021, $10 million in 2022 and $12.5 million in 2023. The Rams can't really release Gurley because he would count $25.6 million in dead money against their cap. Thus, L.A. might have to sweeten any deal with a draft pick.

One potential suitor for Gurley? Tom Brady's Tampa Bay Buccaneers, who still have plenty of cap room, and players want to go there now with TB12 on board. Tampa might prefer free agent Melvin Gordon, though. The Houston Texans still have a need at running back and cap room to spare.  

On the William Hill NFL futures odds, the Rams are currently +1400 to win the NFC title and +325 to win the NFC West.