Todd Gurley says 2020 season with Atlanta Falcons was ‘sorry’

FLOWERY BRANCH, Ga. — This offseason, the Atlanta Falcons reopened the door to their 2020 team by hiring head coach Raheem Morris — but running back Todd Gurley won’t be joining the reunion.

Gurley, who starred in college at the University of Georgia from 2012-14 before becoming a top-10 pick of the Los Angeles Rams in 2015, has had a solid professional career that includes three All-Pro nominations and the NFL Offensive Player of the Year award in 2017.

After being released by the Rams following the 2019 season, Gurley signed a one-year contract with the Falcons for what ultimately turned out to be his final professional campaign.

Gurley led Atlanta on the ground in 2020, rushing 195 times for 678 yards and nine touchdowns while adding 25 catches for 164 yards through the air.

But the Falcons struggled, as an 0-5 start led to the firing of head coach Dan Quinn and the promotion of Morris, then the defensive coordinator, to interim head coach. There were also strict guidelines issued by the league amid concerns about the COVID-19 pandemic that altered the atmosphere of the season.

Atlanta finished the season 4-7 under Morris’ leadership and 4-12 overall – and Gurley, during a recent appearance on the 10/25 Show hosted by former NFL players LeSean McCoy and DeSean Jackson, didn’t. didn’t hold back his feelings about the year.

“I really wanted to see what they were talking about, because I played at Georgia,” Gurley said. “So it happened. And I told myself that the season was sad. »

Gurley’s 2020 season was marked by career lows in touchdowns (220) and rushing yards (842) while he faced questions about the long-term health of his knee, which had an “arthritic component” due to a torn ACL in college.

After completing his sixth professional campaign, Gurley reflected on his life. He felt his CV was strong enough and, more importantly, he felt fulfilled inside.

“It was like, ‘Okay man, I’m living in LA, I’m chilling. I did everything,’” Gurley said. “Of course, I would love to have a ring and stuff like that. But I went to the Super Bowl, I lost. I wasn’t really tripping. I don’t know, I feel like I’ve done a lot of things that I never thought I’d ever do.

“And just having fun, playing football, making a lot of people’s dreams come true – that kind of vibe.” »

Gurley said he received an offer to play for the Baltimore Ravens, his favorite childhood era, during the 2021 season, but took a broader perspective and decided he was happy to reside in Los Angeles.

Gurley, now 29, hasn’t played a game since the 2020 campaign ended. He hasn’t officially retired, but he hasn’t expressed any interest in returning.

And even if the good offer ends with a “sorry,” he feels at peace with his playing career and his current place in life.

“It actually didn’t really matter anymore if I scored 10 more touchdowns or if I scored none,” Gurley said. “I wasn’t really going to be satisfied anymore. »