The 2020 NFL league year officially started yesterday at 4 PM EST, but today the Los Angeles Rams had a 4 PM EST deadline of their own to worry about.

If star running back, Todd Gurley has been a member of the team’s roster at 4 PM EST he would have had $10.5 million in bonuses guaranteed.

Well the Rams made the difficult choice to move on from the Pro Bowl running back:

After rushing for over 1,000 yards in three of his first four seasons, the Rams gave Gurley an extension worth $60 million two years ago.

This past season the team purposely reduced his workload and it resulted in Gurley rushing for a career-worst 857 yards. An injury late in the 2018 season and chronic knee issues took some of the shine off of Gurley’s status in the league of late.

However, now that he is open to sign with any team he will definitely have his fair share of suitors.

Meanwhile, the Rams might have been able to duck paying Gurley $10.5 million they still owe him $7.55 million and he’ll account for $20.15 million in dead cap space over the next two seasons according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero:

The team released this thank you video on their social media channels after the news broke:

Given what he’s accomplished over the first five seasons of his career, it won’t take long for another team to give Gurley an opportunity.

ESPN’s Josina Anderson reports that the Atlanta Falcons and Miami Dolphins should be considered the early favorites for the 25-year-old’s services: