Julio Jones Heavily Recruited Todd Gurley To Atlanta Falcons

Running back Todd Gurley signed a one-year deal with the Falcons. Star wide receiver Julio Jones deserves some of the credit for making it possible.

Gurley recently appeared in an episode of Chris Long’s Green Light Podcast and said that Jones showed up at his house soon after Rams released him on March 19.

The former Rams running back also mentioned that new Cardinals star wide receiver DeAndre Hopkins also showed up at his door.

The Rams had some concerns about Gurley’s ability to being replicate the level of dominance he displayed early in his career, since he developed arthritis in his knee. Gurley led the NFL with 13 rushing touchdowns in 2017 and with 17 in 2018. He was drafted No. 10 overall in the 2015 NFL Draft and spent five seasons with the Rams.

This was going to be the third season of a four-year, $57.5 million extension for Gurley. It was the biggest running back deal in NFL history but the Rams released him to save $10.5 million in guaranteed salary for next season.

Todd Gurley had career-lows with 223 carries and 857 rushing yards last year but still scored 12 touchdowns in 15 games.

Gurley’s fit in Atlanta makes perfect sense. It is logical because the Falcons recently released running back Devonta Freeman and Gurley played for the Georgia Bulldogs in college. Being able to sign him right after he was cut but the Rams had a lot to do with Jones recruiting him and it will be interesting to see how the Falcons fare next season.