Todd Gurley release has Twitter melting down

LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 29: Todd Gurley #30 of the Los Angeles Rams runs the ball in the game against the Arizona Cardinals at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum on December 29, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /
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Todd Gurley has been released by the Los Angeles Rams in a stunning fall from grace for a running back who was once among the class of the NFL.

The Los Angeles Rams moved on from former first-round running back Todd Gurley on Thursday, announcing the release of the two-time first-team All-Pro.

Gurley burst onto the scene having been drafted by the Rams with the 10th-overall pick in 2015. He won the Offensive Rookie of the Year award and two years later was named Offensive Player of the Year.

However, his career with the Rams took a turn for the worse amid mystery over a knee injury that saw his role in their run in the 2018 postseason, which ended in defeat to the New England Patriots in Super Bowl LIII, significantly diminished.

Gurley was a shadow of his 2017 self last season and, with the Rams unable to find a trade partner, they decided to part with a player they would have owed $17.25 million in 2020, according to Spotrac.

The overwhelming consensus is that Gurley is another example of the danger of giving lucrative contracts to running backs. The Rams will pay the price for handing one to Gurley with the dead money they now have to carry.

Given his injury issues, Gurley may find a depressed market for his services. Still only 25, he has plenty of time to revitalize his career. The question is whether he will discover the right situation in which to do so.

More. Rams release of Todd Gurley is cautionary tale to NFL. light

While Gurley’s release does not reflect well on the Rams, they were at least prepared for it. Los Angeles drafted Darell Henderson last year and, unless they address the position by adding a rookie this year, will look for Henderson and Malcolm Brown to fill the void left by Gurley.