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The Rams spent weeks exploring a trade for Todd Gurley. They couldn't find any takers.

As a result, the team announced the release of their former workhorse running back.

Between knee problems and a general offensive malaise around him, he was no longer worth the contract they gave him in two years ago, and now he’s on the open market.

In fact, the Rams still owe Gurley a $7.55 million roster bonus tomorrow, but they escape the additional $10.5 million in salary and bonuses that would've become fully guaranteed at 4 p.m.

He leaves behind $12.6 million in dead money on the salary cap over the next two years.

As ESPN.com's Lindsey Thiry recently noted, the circumstances surrounding Gurley have only grown more curious since he was sidelined late in the 2018 season, then underwhelmed in the NFC Championship Game and Super Bowl. The situation did not appear to improve last season, as Gurley received limited touches and rushed for only 857 yards, his fewest since the 2016 season.

At one point, head coach Sean McVay called himself an "idiot" for not getting Gurley more involved, and Gurley did not disagree.

To be fair, although he started the year off slowly, Gurley turned it on in the second half of the season. As NFL.com's Michael Fabiano pointed out, Gurley finished as a top-20 fantasy back in five of his final eight games. In all, Gurley had eight top-15 finishes at the position.

For what it's worth, ESPN's Josina Anderson's understanding is among two of Gurley's desirable destinations recently has been Atlanta and Miami. The Dolphins just brought in Jordan Howard.

However, we'll see now, how other potential options open up for Gurley, or how the market reacts.

Remember, the Bucs are all in on an immediate push with Tom Brady at QB; they could use some help in the backfield as well.

As for the Rams, Gurley's departure leaves them with Malcolm Brown and Darrell Henderson.

Last season, Brown rushed for a career-high 255 yards and five touchdowns on 69 carries. Henderson, a rookie from Memphis, was hampered by injuries. He rushed for 147 yards on 39 carries.

I'll remind you, however, there were many who viewed Henderson as a great fit for McVay's offense. Perhaps now he'll get a chance to show that.