The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that they've officially agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley.
Gurley, 25, is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro who was named the AP Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015 and the AP Offensive Player of the Year in 2017 when he gained 2,093 yards from scrimmage and led all NFL players with 19 touchdowns. The following year, the former University of Georgia star again led all players with 21 touchdowns.
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One of the best running backs in the league since the Rams drafted him with the 10th-overall pick in 2015, Gurley has gained 7,494 total yards and scored 70 touchdowns in his five NFL seasons, the most in the league during the time. Gurley's 58 rushing touchdowns are also the most in the NFL since 2015, and his 5,404 rushing yards are just one short of matching Cowboys running back Ezekiel Elliott's league-best total.
It was believed the Falcons could address the running back position this offseason after the team decided to release starter Devonta Freeman. Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff has often added to that position through the draft, but Gurley is a rare type of player. With this move, Atlanta would now have an offense led by Matt Ryan, Julio Jones, Calvin Ridley and Gurley, giving the Falcons one of the best groups of skill players in the league.
Atlanta averaged 85.1 rushing yards per game in 2019, the third-fewest in the NFL. The Rams, however, have boasted a top-eight rushing offense in three of Gurley's five seasons. Gurley will also have a deep group of running backs behind him who should be able to keep him fresh when needed.
After becoming one of the most dominant players in college football just down the road from the city of Atlanta, Gurley is reportedly making his return to the state of Georgia as the newest member of the Falcons.
The Atlanta Falcons announced Monday that they've officially agreed to terms with former Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley. Gurley is a three-time Pro Bowler and a two-time All-Pro.
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) pose for a photo before an NFL regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Dallas. The Cowboys won, 44-21. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) before an NFL regular season football game against the Dallas Cowboys on Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019 in Dallas. The Cowboys won, 44-21. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs against the Chicago Bears during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) runs the ball in the third quarter during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Cardinals, 31-24. (Ryan Kang via AP)
FILE - In this Dec. 29, 2019, file photo, Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs a play during the first half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, in Los Angeles. The Atlanta Falcons have agreed to a one-year deal with three-time Pro Bowl running back Todd Gurley, one day after he was cut by the Los Angeles Rams. A person familiar with the deal told The Associated Press about the agreement on Friday, March 20, 2020, on condition of anonymity because the deal will not be official until Gurley passes a physical. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill, File)
A detail view of Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley's jersey prior to an NFL football game against the Dallas Cowboys, Sunday, Dec. 15, 2019, in Arlington, Texas. Dallas won 44-21. (Aaron M. Sprecher via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II (30) looks on before an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019 in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Cardinals 31-24. (Paul Spinelli via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs upfield during an NFL game against the San Francisco 49ers, Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019, in Santa Clara, Calif. The 49ers defeated the Rams 34-31. (Kevin Terrell via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) carries the ball during an NFL regular season football game against the Arizona Cardinals on Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019 in Glendale, Ariz. The Rams won, 34-7. (Ric Tapia via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley sits on the bench during second half of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals Sunday, Dec. 29, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Mark J. Terrill)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley II carries against the San Francisco 49ers during the first half of an NFL football game in Santa Clara, Calif., Saturday, Dec. 21, 2019. (AP Photo/Tony Avelar)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs past Chicago Bears inside linebacker Nick Kwiatkoski during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs against the Atlanta Falcons during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 20, 2019, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/John Bazemore)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) looks on during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Bears, 17-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs against the Arizona Cardinals during the first half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Ross D. Franklin)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) during an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals, Sunday, Dec. 1, 2019, in Glendale, Ariz. (AP Photo/Rick Scuteri)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) loses the ball as he is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Joe Haden (23) during the second half of an NFL football game in Pittsburgh, Sunday, Nov. 10, 2019. The ball went out of bounds on the play. (AP Photo/Don Wright)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley runs against the Seattle Seahawks during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 8, 2019, in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Kyusung Gong)
Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley (30) runs the football during an NFL football game against the Chicago Bears, Sunday, Nov. 17, 2019, in Los Angeles. The Rams defeated the Bears, 17-7. (Ryan Kang via AP)
