A meteoric rise, a rapid fall, and an early exit, Todd Gurley’s arc went from Offensive Player of the Year and back‑to‑back All‑Pro seasons to retirement by his late 20s.
The former Los Angeles Rams star has since leaned into life beyond football, reflecting openly on why he stepped away and what he’s building now.
Why Did Todd Gurley Retire From the NFL?
Gurley’s career began at an elite pace. Offensive Rookie of the Year in 2015; 2017 OPOY after leading the league in scrimmage yards and touchdowns; another All‑Pro nod in 2018 amid the Rams’ Super Bowl run. By early 2019, however, medical scrutiny of his left knee intensified. Gurley had torn his ACL as a junior at Georgia; doctors later diagnosed osteoarthritis in that knee, and his workload and explosiveness declined.
He was released by the Rams in March 2020, days before bonus guarantees triggered, and joined the Atlanta Falcons for a single season, averaging 3.5 yards per carry. After 2020, he did not sign again.
Reports confirmed how the knee complicated trade talks and depressed market interest as teams prioritized medical certainty and the draft for running backs. Gurley later said on a podcast that he anticipated either a cut or trade late in his Rams tenure and described how reduced usage under Sean McVay signaled the end.
Across six NFL seasons, he logged 6,082 rushing yards and 67 rushing touchdowns (plus 2,254 receiving yards and 12 receiving TDs), then retired in his mid‑20s when health and role alignment no longer matched his standard.
Where Is Todd Gurley Now? Former Rams Star’s Life After NFL
Gurley has embraced post‑NFL life. He remains in Los Angeles, is active in brand partnerships, including a Bush’s Beans campaign, which he jokes ties back to his NIL‑era suspension at Georgia, and travels extensively. He’s reportedly visited New Zealand, Australia, London, Thailand, Bali, South Korea, Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, Greece, Italy, Canada, and the Caribbean for NFL flag events and personal trips.
He also welcomed a daughter, Amaya, and says he’s focused on staying fit and enjoying family time, grateful for the chance to experience different cultures after football.
He still engages with Georgia football and the Rams community. Gurley attended recent marquee college games and connected with UGA running back Nate Frazier, who saluted him with a bow celebration, something Gurley did in his return game from suspension in 2014.
Gurley has also spoken candidly about “falling out of love” with the sport and appreciating the freedom of retirement, while noting he could attempt a comeback if he chose, but that he’s content where he is.
Public reflections from 2024-2025 interviews add texture to his exit. Gurley recounted how his agent outlined contract realities, being young and secure financially even if cut, and how late‑career benching made the writing clear. He said Buffalo and Pittsburgh were floated as trade destinations, but he preferred not to move, and he has no regrets about stepping away at 26 after accomplishing more than he imagined, even without a ring.
Gurley’s time with the Rams remains central to his legacy with back‑to‑back All‑Pro seasons, two rushing TD titles, and one of the league’s most dominant two‑year runs by a modern back. His post‑NFL chapter is defined by brand work, family, travel, and staying close to the game without chasing a return. As he put it, he likes doing things on his own time, and now he’s doing exactly that.
