Former Los Angeles Rams Todd Gurley and Clay Matthews said on Twitter Tuesday the team owes them some back-pay.
Gurley, who finalized a deal with the Atlanta Falcons on Monday, tweeted: “@RamsNFL
past due. Send me money ASAP.” Veteran linebacker Clay Matthews, who remains a free agent, retweeted Gurley and added: “You and me both TG! 😤 Better get some interest with that too.”
The Rams told ESPN they believe they are in full compliance with the language in the players’ contracts. The team declined to comment to the website.
Gurley, who helped lead the Rams to a Super Bowl appearance in the 2018 season, was released by the Rams less than two years after they signed him to a four-year, $60 million extension that included $45 million in guarantees. He was slowed last season because of knee issues.
Todd Gurley and Clay MatthewsAP; Getty ImagesAccording to ESPN, the Rams designated his release as post-June 1. It allows Los Angeles to spread the dead-money cap charges of $11.75 million over two seasons, and means that on June 2, the Rams also will have $5.5 million in cap savings.
The Rams owed Gurley a $7.55 million roster bonus, and because of offset language in Gurley’s contract, they do not have to pay him $2.5 million of what is owed, according to the website.
According to NFL Network, Gurley’s one-year contract with the Falcons includes a $2 million signing bonus, $3.5 million fully guaranteed base salary and $500,000 in incentives.
Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said recently that he is not concerned Gurley’s knee issues will cause a problem between the team and their new running back.
“We looked closely at it. We have language our contracts that will protect us and the player,” Dimitroff said on a conference call with Falcons reporters.
The Rams also saved $3.75 million in salary-cap space by cutting Matthews, according to ESPN.
Matthews, who played 10 seasons with the Green Bay Packers before joining the Rams last season, was due a fully guaranteed $2 million roster bonus, but his deal also has offset language for $2 million, the report said.
