They miscalculated

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Rams43
Hate to put it that way, but that’s the unvarnished truth.

They’ll just have to ride it out until they can afford to dump his contract.

That contract should have taught them a hard lesson, but one that they’ll never forget. RB’s have a much shorter shelf life than most any other position and there are few exceptions. Sigh...

I think Gurley isn't a *good,* but less great RB any more. He had a very short shelf life, yes, but I'm not sure that the particulars of his case lend themselves to any "lesson" they can comfortably take forward. Teams take significant gambles all the time. They take one every time they hand out a sizable contract. For the most part, I'd say the Rams' large-contract gambles have paid off so far.

The general "lesson" I'd like them to take away - but it's not really about Gurley - is that 90% of a back's success or failure running the ball is the OL. Barry Sanders, Saquon Barkley, Faulk - those guys whose skills and talents make them special are very rare. Thing is, Gurley arguably WAS one of those guys. I can't blame them for spending a high pick on him in the first place or giving him a big contract. 2017 TGIII WAS one of the rare ones worth big $$$. Not simply because he put up big numbers - a solid back behind a great OL can do that - but because his speed, acceleration, hands, passport meant he could do things simply "good" backs don't do.

But it didn't pay off in the end, and now, barring a comeback I don't at all expect, his contract is an albatross.

I'd rather see them try to rely on a couple "good" backs behind the best OLs they can find/coach and not hand out huge contracts.