DeMarco Murray is headed to the Philadelphia Eagles. The now-former Dallas Cowboys running back has spurned their attempts to re-sign him and has moved on to their NFC East rival.
According to Adam Schefter’s Twitter account, Murray is signing with the Eagles for a reported $42 million, $21 of which is guaranteed money.
DeMarco Murray’s deal with Eagles is expected to be 5 years, $42 million, including $21 million guaranteed, per @mortreport and I.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
Murray broke Emmitt Smith’s single season rushing record in 2014 when he rushed for 1,845 yards. But a stout offensive line and the fact that Murray was approaching north of 27 years of age made him expendable. The Cowboys were hoping to re-sign DeMarco but at their price.
DeMarco Murray will be first player to lead NFL in rushing yards and change teams before start of the next season since Bill Dudley in 1947.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
All that changed of course, when Frank Gore changed his mind and decided to sign with the Colts instead of the Eagles. As soon as that happened, Chip Kelly, who is being criticized for trading LeSean McCoy to the Bills, turned his attention toward landing DeMarco.
Who knew that one of the single most significant off-season decisions would be Frank Gore changing his mind about going to Philadelphia…
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
Dallas, meanwhile, was assuming the running back market would have dried up by then and DeMarco would be forced into a taking lesser deal to remain with the Cowboys. That of course, didn’t happen.
Minor point: On DeMarco Murray’s $21 million guaranteed, $18 million for skill and injury. Murray got what Dallas did not expect.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
The Eagles continue to be active. As reported by Schefter, Ryan Matthews has agreed to a deal with the Eagles as well, making for a potentially crowded backfield alongside Murray and Darren Sproles. Earlier in the day there was some doubt as to whether the Matthews deal was going to happen after the Murray talks heated up. In the end, both Ryan and DeMarco were added.
Ryan Mathews IS signing in Philly, per source.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
So DeMarco Murray and Ryan Mathews now expected to share the Birds’ backfield.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) March 12, 2015
So where do the Dallas Cowboys turn now? One thing is for certain, behind that stud offensive line, any running back they sign could become the next DeMarco Murray.
[Photo credit: Joe Robbins / Getty Images]
