Report: DeMarco Murray meeting with Eagles, intending to sign

Tom Gatto

Report: DeMarco Murray meeting with Eagles, intending to sign image

DeMarco Murray's search for a new contract will take him to Philadelphia on Thursday.

The free-agent running back asked for, and was granted, a meeting with Eagles coach Chip Kelly, ESPN's Chris Mortensen reported.

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ESPN's Adam Schefter reported earlier that Murray was scheduled to travel to Philly:

Thursday morning, Schefter added that "Murray would consider a final, last-minute offer from the Cowboys, per source, but he's going to Philadelphia with the intent to sign."

Murray, according to Mortensen, told Kelly how much wants to play in Kelly's offense next to newly acquired quarterback Sam Bradford, a backfield mate of Murray's at Oklahoma and a close friend.

Mortensen characterized the Eagles' interest in the reigning NFL rushing champion as "tepid." Philly agreed to sign free-agent running back Ryan Mathews on Wednesday, and Kelly is expressing concern about his team's salary cap situation, but Geoff Mosher notes Mathews deal has yet to be signed.

Bradford told reporters at his introductory press conference that he is recruting Murray heavily.

"Absolutely," Bradford said. "I've been trying my hardest. I called him. I've texted him. I've done everything. We've been in communication and I think if we could somehow land DeMarco it would be a great pickup. Not only is he a great player, but he's a great person. He's a really great friend of mine, too. I really think that he could help this ballclub."

Maybe Murray is just using the Eagles to create more leverage with the Cowboys, who have been tepid about re-signing one of their offensive stars. And maybe Kelly will use the meeting to force the Cowboys to increase their offer and mess up their cap. Or, maybe, Kelly will seize an opportunity to weaken a rival. Lots of maybes, lots of potential drama.

Tom Gatto

Tom Gatto Photo

Tom Gatto joined The Sporting News as a senior editor in 2000 after 12 years at The Herald-News in Passaic, N.J., where he served in a variety of roles including sports editor, and a brief spell at APBNews.com in New York, where he worked as a syndication editor. He is a 1986 graduate of the University of South Carolina.