After becoming frustrated in Chip Kelly's full-participation offense in Philadelphia last year, DeMarco Murray wanted out. He led the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards with the Cowboys a year prior, but averaged just 3.6 yards per carry with eight total touchdowns in 15 games with the Eagles.
“My heart just wasn’t there,” Murray told the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I felt it was a situation where I needed a fresh start, and I was granted that by [Eagles general manager] Howie [Roseman] and [team owner] Jeffery [Lurie], who is a great guy. Really good people. I was fortunate to have that relationship with them, so I could tell them, ‘This is where it is. I think it would be best for both sides if I find a new home.'”
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Murray thought for sure he was going to return to the then-running back-needy Cowboys for the 2016 season.
“It was like 95 percent sure I was going to come back there,” Murray said. “There were some things that fell through and just didn’t happen. I think everything happens for a reason. I’m here [in Tennessee], and I’m supposed to be here. They’ve got a pretty good young back over there [in Dallas] as well.”
Instead, Dallas used its fourth overall pick in the draft on running back Ezekiel Elliott and brought in Alfred Morris as a free agent. The Eagles traded Murray to the Titans in March. Still, Murray often thinks about the Cowboys, even Elliott.
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“He’s doing well,” Murray said. “He’s very elusive. He’s very fast. I didn’t know he was that fast, but he turned on the jets. He’s doing well for them. Those guys are blocking well for him. I wish them a good year as well.
“I have a lot of respect for those guys — the Jones family, [Cowboys executive] Will [McClay], coach [Jason] Garrett obviously and [Tony] Romo and Wit [Jason Witten], all those guys. I still consider them a great franchise, and they’re great friends of mine."