Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...

Todd Gurley is an Atlanta Falcon!

The former Georgia great is ditching the blue and gold for the red and black, and all is right in the universe. UGA and Falcons fans can’t help but get excited to see Gurley back in the state where he made a name for himself as an elite college running back. He had a magnificent rookie season, has been to a Super Bowl and has put up some incredible numbers, both on the field and in his bank account.

The contract is a 1-year deal, worth $6 million. Combined with the net $5 million he’ll be paid by the Rams, Gurley’s total 2020 earnings of $11 million make him one of the top three highest paid running backs in the NFL.

There’s just one problem: his health. Gurley has reportedly had some trouble with his knee. It explains some of the lack of play time he saw the last couple of seasons. It is certainly something to keep an eye on, and despite my love for the former Dawg, I hope he can produce for the Falcons or it might be the end for his career. I’ve seen lots of comments that this is Gurley’s “prove it” season. Is he still capable of being an all-star player worth the gobs of money he is earning? I really, really hope so.

As bitter as I’ve been toward the Falcons franchise the past few years, I will have to tune in this season. Dante Fowler, one of Gurley’s teammates in Los Angeles, is coming to the Falcons as a much-needed pass rusher. Atlanta is poised to draft an elite offensive lineman and a few more pieces on defense. I don’t want to get my hopes up to early, but I’m getting eager to see how this team looks on the field.

Even better, Tom Brady will be a division rival. The former Patriot has taken off his New England Jersey after 20 years with the team and will come down south to play in slightly warmer weather for Tampa Bay. The Falcons will play Brady with the Buccaneers and Drew Brees with the Saints. Stiff competition. Teddy Bridgewater will take over as quarterback on the Carolina Panthers, a team he will likely thrive on with new head coach Matt Rhule. This should be fun!

With the draft (tentatively) set for next month, it’s nice to get small crumbs of football news amidst this cruel sports drought.