The Carolina Panthers should consider signing Todd Gurley to assist with their desire to implement a power running scheme moving forward.
It’s one thing wanting to adopt a power running game. But the Carolina Panthers don’t appear to possess the personnel to accomplish such a mission.
Joe Brady’s reluctance to run the football consistently without Christian McCaffrey eventually proved to be his undoing as he was fired by the organization on Sunday. The Panthers will now move forward with Jeff Nixon as their play-caller for the remaining five games, with the coach a long-term friend of Matt Rhule’s on a personal and working level.
This might help with cohesion from a coaching capacity. But considering the questionable decisions made by Rhule during his time with the organization, it hardly inspires much confidence.
The Panthers currently have Ameer Abdullah and Chuba Hubbard as their running back tandem. Two players who can flash on occasions, but both can be categorized as finesse players rather than punishing backs in-between the tackles.
There is also the prospect of moving Spencer Brown onto the active roster. The undrafted free agent showed tremendous promise during training camp, so the Panthers won’t get a better opportunity to see what they have in the player before evaluating the position this offseason.
However, considering the growing pressure Rhule is under, bringing in a veteran free agent to provide immediate assistance is something that cannot be ruled out entirely.
Signing Todd Gurley makes sense for the Carolina Panthers.
Of all the options available, then Todd Gurley is someone that jumps out.
Although the former first-round pick is far from the force of old, it wasn’t that long ago Gurley was considered among the league’s top backs before injuries started taking their toll. A common theme with players at the position and something the Panthers are currently experiencing with McCaffrey.
Gurley was a physical specimen that was virtually unstoppable during the 2017 and 2018 seasons, which came with consecutive All-Pro selections and a mammoth contract from the Los Angeles Rams. He didn’t break the 1,000-yard rushing mark in 2019 and was swiftly released as Sean McVay decided he couldn’t rely on the Georgia product any longer.
Similar problems emerged for Gurley when he joined the Atlanta Falcons on a one-year, $5.5 million deal. He played 15 games, securing 678 rushing yards and nine touchdowns, but the same burst just wasn’t there, and his 3.5 yards-per-carry was the second-lowest of the player’s career.
The Panthers wouldn’t need Gurley to accumulate 20 or more touches a game, which would be welcome considering his injury problems and the fact he’s been out of action all season. It’s also worth remembering that Carolina is somehow still in the playoff hunt, so the veteran could be a band-aid to use in short-yardage situations in this scenario.
Although a move for Gurley would be a surprise, the back might be fresher than he’s ever been and would be coming in with a huge chip on his shoulder after being cast aside for so long.
Rhule is now hanging his hat on a power-running game with a porous offensive line and backs that like to get out on the edge to do damage. And we all know the complications that can emerge from putting too much emphasis on Cam Newton carrying out of the backfield.
Gurley would paper over the cracks. Albeit on a short-term arrangement.
And who knows, it might be the avenue back into the league he’s looking for beyond the current campaign.