Rams GM Assures Gurley And Matthews Will Get Their Money

A pair of former Rams believe the team owes them some money, but the Rams want them to know they’re on top of it.

The players in question are running back Todd Gurley and linebacker Clay Matthews. Both were released by Los Angeles on March 19^th. A few weeks after that, the duo mentioned on Twitter that the team had yet to pay them guaranteed money.

The Rams still owed Gurley a $7.55 million roster bonus when he signed a one-year, $5.5 million contract with the Falcons a few days after his release. However, according to ESPN, Los Angeles doesn’t have to pay $2.5 million of that sum thanks to offset language in Gurley’s contract. Matthews, meanwhile, was slated to get a fully-guaranteed $2 million roster bonus. Still a free agent, he also has offsetting language for $2 million.

Now that a few days have passed since the two players tweeted their complaints, the Rams have addressed the situation. They agree that there’s money owed, but disputed Gurley’s notion that payments are “past due.”

“They’re definitely owed money. That money is guaranteed, we’re going to pay them,” Rams general manager Les Snead told NFL Network on Wednesday. “There’s some language in the contract of exactly when you pay them and that’s what we’re adhering by. What I do know is both Clay and Todd earned that money and they’re going to get that money.”

Both players can expect their money from the Rams, though if Matthews signs for at least $2 million with another team, Los Angeles is off the hook.

In the meantime, Gurley can focus on his future with the Falcons. He spent the first five years of his career with the Rams, rushing for 5,404 yards and 12 touchdowns. Now he is preparing for a homecoming of sorts with the Falcons after playing his college ball at Georgia.

Matthews, meanwhile, spent one season in Los Angeles after playing the first 10 years of his career in Green Bay. He proved he can still be an effective pass-rusher with the Rams, recording eight sacks in 13 starts.