It’s safe to say the past two years have been filled with career highs and lows for Los Angeles Rams running back Todd Gurley. In 2014, during his final year at Georgia, Gurley missed four games due to an NCAA investigation into signed memorabilia. Then, against Auburn in his first game back from suspension, Gurley tore his ACL and missed the remainder of the season.
However, Gurley rebounded by being the 10th overall selection in the 2015 NFL Draft. As a rookie, he rushed for 1,106 yards and 10 touchdowns on a rehabbed knee. He was also selected to the Pro Bowl. Moving into the 2016 season, Gurley is once again the centerpiece of the Rams offense, which could also be adding a quarterback thanks to a blockbuster trade with the Tennessee Titans to get the No. 1 overall pick.
The Rams haven’t made the playoffs since 2004, but Gurley is convinced a tweaked offense will be the difference between staying home for the postseason and taking that next step. We asked Gurley about the Rams’ trade, what it means for the team moving forward, how he’s adjusting to L.A., and more.
Looking back on your first season, you eclipsed 1,000 yards and were selected to the Pro Bowl. Did you accomplish everything individually that you wanted to, especially with your knee injury?
I accomplished a lot of really good things, but that wasn’t my mission. I was just trying to get back on the field and get healthy. And it so happened to turn out to be a pretty good season.
I knew I wasn’t going to be able to play the first couple of games, but I wanted to get my mind ready so when the time came I could take advantage of it. Rehab wasn’t too hard, though. It can always be a lot worse. I just tried to stay positive through it all. Every day you’re not going to feel like working out, but you have to. You have to get back to your old self. It’s a lot more work because it’s weight lifting and training, and then rehab.
How do you like L.A.? What’s the adjustment like going to the bright lights of the city?
I’m not too big into sightseeing stuff. It’s just good to be out here. Enjoying the weather and the view.
Even though you were only in St. Louis for a year, did the move from St. Louis affect you at all?
I felt bad for the fans because they lost their whole franchise. But I was only there a couple of months, not even a full year. It was definitely cool. I enjoyed the city. I’m going to remember my rookie year.
The Rams recently traded up to get the No. 1 pick in the draft and are expected to take a quarterback. Were you surprised by that move?
I was a bit shocked by it. But that’s up to the coaches, owners and the GM. I stay out of that part. That has nothing to do with me.
But how does that kind of pick potentially affect the relationships in the locker room?
You have guy’s jobs on the line, but at the end of the day, it’s football. It’s nothing new, it’s just at a higher level. The coaches wouldn’t have drafted you if they didn’t like you. The big thing is to help the team try to win.
Overall, how will this Rams team be different than last year’s?
I can’t really predict what’s going to happen, but I know for me I want to get a few more wins and get into the playoffs. That’s the main thing. [We get there with] offense. We have to put points on the board. Our defense did a great job last year. It’s our job to keep them off the field, it’s our job to score points. We have to take that next step on offense.
Now, for me, it’s just stepping up my game. Somebody has to do it. I just want to go out there and put some points on the board.
With college athletes getting checks in the mail for their ‘NCAA Football’ settlement, what are your thoughts on athletes being able to profit off their NIL rights? What will they do with the money?
[The situation] is what it is. I’m glad people got checks for it. I can see players getting paid sooner or later, and I think that will be good for student-athletes. A lot of guys don’t come from wealthy homes. Some guys get Pell Grants, but sometimes that’s not enough. A lot of parents are demanding, too. They signed their kids up for that [football] and will say, ‘You have to send me money.’ I was fortunate. My mom was the type who said ‘that’s your money, you keep it.’ But a lot of guys will give it back to their parents, or a least give them some.
