Todd Gurley Earnings: A Look At His NFL Financial Journey

Helmer Raynor 17 Aug 2025

Many folks wonder about the financial side of professional sports, especially when a player reaches the top of their game. For football fans, the story of Todd Gurley offers a truly interesting peek into how money works in the National Football League. His career, though perhaps shorter than some might have hoped, still shows a big financial picture, and people are often curious about what his total earnings look like.

It's a world where talent meets big contracts, but also where unexpected turns, like injuries, can change things rather quickly. The money a player makes is not just about their skills on the field; it also involves contract structures, team needs, and sometimes, a bit of luck. So, we're going to talk about Todd Gurley's earnings, how they came about, and what they mean for a player's path.

This discussion will give you a better idea of how a top athlete's income shapes up over their playing days. We will, in fact, explore the various stages of his professional money story, from his beginnings to his biggest deals and beyond. It's a tale that really highlights the ups and downs of life in the NFL, financially speaking, you know?

Todd Gurley: A Brief Overview
Early Days and the Rookie Deal
The Groundbreaking Extension: A Major Moment
The Impact of Injuries on His Financial Picture
Life After the Rams and the End of His Playing Time
How NFL Contracts Work: A Closer Look
Beyond the Field: Gurley's Post-Playing Pursuits
Frequently Asked Questions About Todd Gurley's Earnings

Todd Gurley: A Brief Overview

Before we get into the money details, it helps to know a little about Todd Gurley himself. He was, you know, a truly exciting player to watch. People often remember his powerful running style and his ability to score points for his team. He really did make a name for himself very quickly.

He played college football at Georgia, where he showed a lot of promise. Many folks saw him as a future star even then. His college career set him up for a high draft pick in the NFL. That's usually where the big money starts for these athletes, as a matter of fact.

Here is some basic information about Todd Gurley:

Full Name	Todd Gurley II
Born	August 3, 1994
College	University of Georgia
NFL Draft	2015, Round 1, Pick 10
Position	Running Back
Teams	St. Louis/Los Angeles Rams (2015-2019), Atlanta Falcons (2020)
Career Highlights	NFL Offensive Player of the Year (2017), 3x Pro Bowl, 2x First-Team All-Pro

Early Days and the Rookie Deal

When Todd Gurley joined the NFL in 2015, he was a very high draft pick. The Rams selected him as the tenth overall player. This meant he would get a rookie contract that was, you know, quite a good deal. These first contracts for players are set by rules in the league's collective bargaining agreement. They are not as big as later deals, but they are still significant amounts of money.

His rookie contract was a four-year agreement. It included a team option for a fifth year, which is pretty standard for first-round picks. The total value of this deal was, apparently, around $13.8 million. A big part of that money was a signing bonus. This bonus is paid up front, which is a nice way to start a career, you know.

Gurley quickly proved he was worth that money, and more. He was, actually, named the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year in his first season. He ran for over 1,100 yards that year. This kind of performance made him a very valuable player for the team. It also set the stage for a much larger contract down the road, as a matter of fact.

The early success he had showed everyone his great potential. He continued to play at a very high level in the seasons that followed. This consistent good play put him in a strong position for future contract talks. It’s pretty clear that his initial earnings were just the beginning of his financial story in the league.

The Groundbreaking Extension: A Major Moment

After just three seasons, Todd Gurley's performance was so good that the Rams decided to give him a huge contract extension. This happened in July 2018. It was, in fact, a really big deal at the time for a running back. Running backs often do not get the biggest contracts in the NFL, so this was a bit different.

The extension was for four years, and it was worth $60 million. Of that, a significant portion, around $45 million, was guaranteed money. This guaranteed money is what players really care about. It means they will get that amount no matter what happens, you know, even if they get hurt or are released. This was a massive sum for a player at his position.

This contract made Todd Gurley the highest-paid running back in the league. It showed how much the Rams valued his contributions. He had been a truly central part of their offense. His ability to run and catch passes made him a dual threat. This sort of player is hard to find, so the team wanted to keep him happy and on their roster, apparently.

The deal was a clear sign of his importance to the team's plans. It was also a sign of his incredible talent. Many people thought he was the best running back in football at that time. This contract reflected that belief, you know. It was a peak moment in his earnings journey. This kind of contract is what many players dream of, actually.

This extension was, in some respects, a moment that changed the way people looked at running back contracts. It gave hope to other running backs that they too could earn big money. It showed that if you were truly exceptional, teams would pay up. It was a very significant financial milestone for him and for the position group as a whole, really.

The Impact of Injuries on His Financial Picture

Despite the huge contract, Todd Gurley's story also shows the harsh side of professional sports. Injuries can change everything, and they certainly did for him. Towards the end of the 2018 season, he started to have issues with his knee. This knee problem, you know, began to affect his play. It was a big concern for the team and for him personally.

His performance in the 2019 season was not quite what it had been before. He still played, but he was not as explosive. The knee issue seemed to limit him. This situation highlights a very real risk for athletes. A big contract does not protect you from physical problems, as a matter of fact.

Because of his knee concerns and the large amount of guaranteed money still owed, the Rams made a tough decision. They released Todd Gurley in March 2020. This was a surprising move for many fans. It meant he would not get all the money from that big $60 million contract. Teams often have clauses that let them out of deals if a player's health or performance drops significantly.

Even though he was released, Gurley still collected a good portion of that guaranteed money. That's why guaranteed money is so important in these contracts. He received a large sum even after being let go. This really shows how those contract details protect players to some extent, you know.

His time with the Rams ended sooner than anyone expected when he signed that big deal. The knee issue played a big part in that. It's a reminder that a player's earnings are not just about the total contract value. They are also about how much of that money is truly guaranteed and how long a player can stay healthy enough to play at a high level. It's a pretty tough business, in a way.

Life After the Rams and the End of His Playing Time

After leaving the Rams, Todd Gurley signed with the Atlanta Falcons for the 2020 season. This was a one-year contract, and it was for a much smaller amount than his previous deal. It was worth about $5.5 million. This kind of deal is common for players who are looking to prove themselves again or who have had injury issues, you know.

He played in 15 games for the Falcons that year. He still showed flashes of his old self, but the knee issues were still a factor. He did not sign with any team for the 2021 season. This led many people to believe his playing days were over. He never officially announced his retirement, but he did not return to the field, as a matter of fact.

His career, though impactful, ended earlier than many might have guessed. This means his total NFL earnings come from his rookie deal, the large Rams extension (and the guaranteed money from it), and his one year with the Falcons. It's a career that shows the high financial rewards possible, but also the quick changes that can happen in professional sports, apparently.

The story of his later career really highlights the unpredictable nature of sports. One year you are the highest-paid at your position, and a few years later, you are no longer playing. This is a reality for many athletes. It makes you think about how important it is for them to manage their money well, you know, during their peak earning years. It's a very clear example of that.

So, his total earnings reflect a very good financial run for a running back, but it was also a career cut short. The money he made is still quite substantial. It speaks to his talent and the value he brought to his teams during his healthy seasons. It's a good example of how quickly things can change in this line of work, too it's almost.

How NFL Contracts Work: A Closer Look

Understanding Todd Gurley's earnings means understanding how NFL contracts generally work. They are not always simple. There are several parts to a contract that influence a player's actual take-home pay. This is, actually, pretty important for anyone looking at player salaries.

First, there is the total value of the contract. This is the big number you often hear about in the news. For Gurley's big deal, it was $60 million. But this number does not mean the player will get every dollar of it. It's more of a maximum possible amount, you know.

Then there is the guaranteed money. This is the most important part for players. This is the money they are sure to get, even if they are cut or get hurt. Gurley's $45 million guaranteed was a very high number for a running back. This money is usually paid out over a few years, not all at once, as a matter of fact.

Contracts also include signing bonuses. This is a lump sum paid when the contract is signed. It's fully guaranteed and a big part of why players get so much money early on. Gurley's rookie deal had a good signing bonus, and his extension likely had one too, apparently.

There are also roster bonuses, workout bonuses, and base salaries. Roster bonuses are paid if a player is on the team's roster on a certain date. Workout bonuses are for showing up to offseason training. Base salary is what they get paid each week during the season. These can be "non-guaranteed," meaning the team can avoid paying them by cutting the player before the payment is due, you know.

For players like Todd Gurley, who had a big guaranteed deal, a significant portion of his total earnings came from that guaranteed money. Even when he was released by the Rams, he still received a large amount because it was promised to him. This system helps protect players somewhat from the risks of injury and the short nature of an NFL career. It's a pretty complex system, in some respects.

To get very specific figures for player earnings, people often look at sites that track this data. These sites gather information from public records and reports. They provide a pretty good estimate of what players have made over their careers. You can learn more about this kind of data by visiting a reputable sports contract tracking site, like Spotrac, for example. It gives a good idea of how these numbers add up.

Beyond the Field: Gurley's Post-Playing Pursuits

Even though Todd Gurley's NFL playing career came to an early close, his story did not stop there. Many athletes, once they step away from the game, find new paths. Gurley is, in fact, no different. He has explored other areas, showing that life after football can still be active and interesting. It's a good thing for players to have other interests, you know.

He has been involved in various business ventures. This is a common path for former athletes who have built up some capital and a public profile. They might invest in companies, start their own brands, or get into different industries. These activities can add to their overall financial standing long after their playing days are over, as a matter of fact.

Gurley has also made appearances and stayed connected to the football world in different ways. This could involve media work, speaking engagements, or even coaching at some level. These roles allow him to share his experience and continue to be a part of the sport he loves. It's a way to keep his name out there, too it's almost.

The money he earned during his NFL career provides a strong foundation for these new pursuits. Having that financial cushion allows him to make choices about what he wants to do next, rather than needing to take any job for income. It's a freedom that many people do not have, apparently. This is a key benefit of a high-earning sports career.

His post-playing life shows that the "earnings" of a professional athlete are not just about the salary they get while playing. They also include the opportunities that open up because of their fame and wealth. It's a good reminder that financial planning during a career is truly important for life after the game. You can learn more about athlete career transitions on our site, and link to this page financial planning for athletes.

So, while we focus on his NFL earnings, it is good to remember that a player's financial story often has many chapters. Todd Gurley's journey is a pretty clear example of this. He has transitioned from being a star player to exploring other possibilities. It's a testament to his adaptability, in a way.

Frequently Asked Questions About Todd Gurley's Earnings

People often have questions about how much money professional athletes make. Here are some common questions about Todd Gurley's earnings:

How much money did Todd Gurley make in his NFL career?

Todd Gurley earned a significant amount of money during his time in the NFL. His total career earnings, considering his rookie contract, his big extension with the Rams, and his final year with the Falcons, come to a very substantial sum. While exact figures can vary slightly based on how incentives and specific bonus structures are calculated, it is generally understood to be well over $50 million. This figure includes all his base salaries, signing bonuses, and guaranteed money from his various deals. It's a pretty big number, you know, for a career that lasted six seasons.

What was Todd Gurley's biggest contract?

Todd Gurley's biggest contract was the four-year, $60 million extension he signed with the Los Angeles Rams in July 2018. This deal included a remarkable $45 million in guaranteed money. It was, in fact, a truly groundbreaking contract for a running back at the time. It made him the highest-paid player at his position in the league. This contract represented the peak of his earning potential in the NFL, as a matter of fact.

Why did Todd Gurley retire early?

Todd Gurley did not officially announce his retirement, but he stopped playing after the 2020 season. His early departure from the game was widely believed to be due to ongoing knee issues. He had a chronic knee condition that began to affect his performance towards the end of his time with the Rams. This condition made it difficult for him to play at the high level he was known for. It's a very common reason for players to step away from the sport, you know, when their bodies can no longer handle the demands of professional football.

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