Todd Gurley hasn’t seen the field for an NFL game since January, 2021…and that’s fine with the veteran running back. Speaking with Keith Kocinski of NBC LX (h/t to Josh Alper of ProFootballTalk.com), Gurley admitted that he never had the itch to play during the 2021-22 campaign.
“There was never not one time where I watched a game and was like, ‘I wish I was out there,’” Gurley said. “I appreciated my time in the league and I’ve done things I could have never even dreamed about.”
Of course, the former Offensive Player of the Year acknowledged that there’s still a chance he could find himself back on an NFL roster.
“I like doing stuff on my time,” the RB said. “I like doing whatever I want to do. I’ve never been the one that liked to be controlled. I like to be in control of my own path. That’s the best thing about being in the position I’m in. If I want to try to play again, I can try to pursue that. Or if I don’t, I can just relax and chill at the house and spend a lot more time with my family because that’s what it’s all about at the end of the day. And then at the end of the day, still becoming a businessman and still venturing off in that next phase of my life.”
Gurley had a prolific two-year stretch with the Rams (2017-2018) that saw him compile 3,924 yards from scrimmage and 40 touchdowns in 29 games. His numbers dipped considerably in 2019, and he was released by the Rams the following offseason. He caught on with the Falcons for the 2020 campaign but continued to regress, finishing with 842 yards from scrimmage (3.8 yards per touch) and nine touchdowns.
Despite the numbers, the veteran still managed to generate some interest last offseason, meeting with the Lions and Ravens. A deal never materialized, and Gurley ended up sitting out the entire 2021 campaign. The RB is still only 27 years old (28 in August), but he’ll likely have to wait for injuries to start hitting before he gets another chance at a gig.
He was fun to watch. If that is it enjoy retirement
Can’t blame these running backs for trying to secure the bag while they can. The league chews them up and spits them out faster than any other position on the gridiron.
It’s gotten absurd at this point. If you’re an elite athlete, why would you want to play running back? Derrick Henry might be the last running back to get into the hall of fame ever.
That’s crazy to think about and with the added 2 games a season
My man
Man he could have been really special if injuries hadn’t just sapped his speed..Such a fast and hard fall from the top, but he’s taken it in stride, and has seemed to come to terms with the cards he’s been dealt. Not surprised at all Gurley was always a great young man at UGA mature beyind his years…
He will always be a DGD!! For those that didn’t get enough of him in the NFL, just look at his college tape. Gurley was just SPECIAL!! A rare blend of speed, balance, vision, and power I’ve NEVER seen before…At the top of his game, it is him and AP for the best two backs I’ve ever seen just from a physical standpoint…
Good thing Tom Brady was not a running back as if we was he would have retired and returned at least 10 times now. Wish that ID 10 T would finally give it up as being like 52 he’s plying with fire
whatever
Sounds as though he has lost his competitive drive. Probably the result of his injuries, treatment by teams, the “politics” of the game and the cumulative effect of having to function under the off-field and on-field rule structure of his employers
Due to arthritis, Gurley can’t run any more. At best, on a good week, he’d be a mid/lower-tier back after being for a short bright span one of the best backs to play in the NFL. Why would he want to go out and embarrass himself? No one wants to pay him enough money to justify the foolishness.
Guy made almost $50mil over 6 seasons. Did just fine for a running back.
Seems to have a great attitude about where he’s at in life, sounds like an incredible future coach on some level.
Made the career of Goff.