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When Adam Schefter announced the Rams and Todd Gurley coming to an agreement on a sizable contract extension, it created a wave of information on what the salary and guaranteed money means for the running back position.
Maybe nothing is more important than the stated guaranteed money in the deal, which is written as $45 million.
While there is always language that changes what that guaranteed money actually is, it is a massive departure from the previous high.
Friend of the program Justis Mosqueda had a great tweet highlighting what the Gurley contract has done:
$45 million guaranteed for Todd Gurley is unheard of for a RB. LeSean McCoy (previously the highest vet RB) got $18.3 million.
— Justis Mosqueda (@JuMosq) July 24, 2018
Rams could have held Gurley hostage with the fifth-year option next year and franchise tags (Bell got two.) Not sure why they didn't but good for Gurley
The massive new guaranteed deal is important as it creates the market and sets a new value to the top running backs.
Previously, $45 million in practical guarantees was reserved for pass rushers, as well as top of the line cornerbacks and wide receivers.
For instance, Chandler Jones new deal with the Cardinals had $51 million in guarantees. Now, that’s a range running backs can reach, someone like Le'Veon Bell.
That's what this contract means for the NFL and for running backs.
The market has been reset for the top running backs... At least for now.