Todd Gurley: Is this why LA Rams star has signed a new deal?

The 23-year-old’s new deal is reportedly worth up to $60million and includes $45m guaranteed

That makes Gurley the highest-paid running back in the NFL after he was named the league’s offensive player of the year last season.

He earned a league-best 2,093 scrimmage yards and finished second in league rushing with 1,305 yards in 2017.

Indeed, since entering the league in 2015, Gurley ranks tied for first in rushing touchdowns with 29.

So it’s no wonder the Rams were keen to tie him down and head coach Sean McVay has indicated more reasons behind the new deal.

“What a special player he is,” McVay said of Gurley in shortly after the news broke.

“I think last year’s production isn’t really a reflection of the value that he provides because he did such a great job, but he’s so much more than that to our team – the way that he competes in protection, the way that he works and the way that rubs off on his teammates.”

The likes of David Johnson at Arizona Cardinals and Dallas Cowboys star Ezekiel Elliott may be smiling after Gurley’s deal.

At $15m per year average, it’s reset the contract market for running backs.

It’s a market that could have been altered earlier as Le’Veon Bell turned down a five-year $70m extension offer from the Pittsburgh Steelers this offseason.

Bell will still rake in $14.5m this season in his second consecutive year at the Steelers.