Gurley agrees to extension with Rams
Todd Gurley was the key to the Los Angeles Rams’ offensive transformation last season, and the Rams have rewarded their star running back with a game-changing contract.
The NFL’s offensive player of the year agreed to a fouryear, $60 million contract extension through 2023 with the Rams on Tuesday.
A person with knowledge of the deal, speaking on condition of anonymity because the terms weren’t publicly announced, confirmed to The Associated Press that Gurley’s contract extension contains $45 million in guaranteed money, a $20 million signing bonus and the NFL’s largest average annual value for a running back contract. ESPN first reported the terms.
General manager Les Snead said the Rams wanted “to get ahead of the curve” by signing Gurley two years before his rookie contract expires. They’ve also set a new benchmark for running back salaries to secure a cornerstone of a team with Super Bowl aspirations. Gurley was a league standout in his third NFL season. He finished second in the NFL with 1,305 yards rushing and 13 touchdowns while catching 64 passes for 788 yards and six more TDs.
Along with being a handsome reward for a burgeoning NFL star, Gurley’s deal sets a new standard in the market for ball-carriers such as Dallas’ Ezekiel Elliott and Arizona’s David Johnson — and for Pittsburgh’s Le’Veon Bell after he plays out this season on the franchise tag.
Mayfield signs rookie contract with Browns
Former Oklahoma star quarterback Baker Mayfield has signed his rookie contract with the Cleveland Browns.
The top overall pick in this year’s NFL Draft finalized his four-year, $32 million deal on Tuesday, a day before Cleveland’s players are scheduled to report to training camp. Rookie cornerback Denzel Ward, selected with the No. 4 overall pick, remains unsigned. Mayfield is not expected to start in his first season for Cleveland. The Browns acquired Tyrod Taylor during an offseason trade from Buffalo and plan to play him until Mayfield is ready.
Rams put Okoronkwo, Easley on PUP list
The Los Angeles Rams have placed former Oklahoma standout Obo Okoronkwo and defensive lineman Dominique Easley on the physically unable to perform list heading into training camp.
Okoronkwo, a rookie linebacker, should be back shortly from an offseason foot injury, coach Sean McVay said.
Easley is still working toward a full recovery after tearing a ligament in his right knee early in training camp last season.
The Rams will hold their first practice of training camp Thursday at UC Irvine.
Titans release LB Dodd
The Tennessee Titans are releasing outside linebacker Kevin Dodd, an unceremonious finish for a former secondround pick who never came close to living up to his draft position. The Titans announced Tuesday in a onesentence release that they plan to cut ties with Dodd, the 33rd overall pick in the 2016 draft out of Clemson.
This move comes two days after the Titans placed Dodd on the “did not report” list. Dodd also skipped voluntary offseason workouts before reporting to the team’s mandatory minicamp in June.
Injuries limited Dodd for much of his stay with the Titans. He appeared in only nine games in each of his two seasons with Tennessee.
FROM WIRE REPORTS