Former Falcons running back eligible for Pro Football Hall of Fame in 2026
The class of 2026 is shaping up to be special 👀 pic.twitter.com/pmZQMuxurJ
With the conclusion of the NFL's Pro Football Hall of Fame weekend, future Canton hopefuls can now turn their attention to next year's class. Former Falcons running back Todd Gurley will be among the players with first-time eligibility in 2026.
After five productive years with the Los Angeles Rams, Gurley was released following the 2019 season. The Falcons signed the former Georgia standout as a free agent in 2020. While Gurley made a name for himself with the Rams, his lone season in Atlanta was underwhelming.
Knee injuries got the best of the former top-10 pick. Gurley rushed for 678 yards and nine touchdowns for the Falcons, adding 24 catches for 164 receiving yards. Atlanta got off to an 0-5 start in 2020, prompting team owner Arthur Blank to fire head coach Dan Quinn and general manager Thomas Dimitroff.
This didn't help Gurley in what ended up being his final NFL season.
Gurley's career may have ended quietly, but he played at an MVP level early on, and should have an outside shot at the Hall of Fame. In 2014, he won the NFL's Offensive Rookie of the Year award despite missing three games.
In 2017, he rushed for 1,305 yards and 13 touchdowns, with an additional 64 catches for 788 receiving yards and six touchdown receptions. Gurley was nearly as good during his 2018 season, recording 1,831 yards from scrimmage and 21 total touchdowns.
So, while the Falcons didn't get the best of what Gurley had to offer, he was as good as anyone in the game when he was in his prime.
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