Some of DeMarco Murray's comments in the aftermath of his trade to Tennessee are receiving their deserved ridicule. And it must be a blow for Murray to realize that the Eagles reportedly swapped fourth-round picks with the Titans just to get rid of him.
The baggage tied to Murray in Philadelphia is not the Titans problem. They spent essentially nothing to acquire the back who led the league in rushing in 2014, and can void his contract without a major dead cap hit in 2018, just after he turns 30. Despite the absurd workload in his final year with the Cowboys, Murray's career 1,127 carries ranks him just 155th all time and 15th among active backs.
The Titans must hope that 2015 was an anomalous reaction to a toxic environment.
MORE: Free agency winners and losers | 2016 NFL mock draft
Real quote by DeMarco Murray: “You want to physically impose your will on the other team. Want to finish runs." pic.twitter.com/und8lKzyir
— Brandon Lee Gowton (@BrandonGowton) March 10, 2016
Murray's renogiated contract locks in $12 million guaranteed and boasts a $25.5 million stated value for four years, giving him an annual number that ranks seventh among running backs. Over The Cap rates his expected contract value at $17.3M
Both Spotrac and Over The Cap give the Titans zero dead cap for cutting Murray in 2019. Spotrac gives Tennessee $3 million and Over The Cap zero in dead cap by cuttiing ties after the 2017 season.
Behind a hopefully more matured and coalesced offensive line — plus rookie stud La'el Collins — Darren McFadden averaged 4.6 yards on 239 carries just one year after Murray held up for 392 carries at 4.7 a tote. As Pro Football Focus notes, the offensive line didn't create everything and Murray finished second in missed tackles forced in 2014.
The Titans rush attack struggled as Marcus Mariota's mobility was utilized little until Mike Mularkey replaced Ken Whisenhunt as head coach, while the backfield stable plodded to a mediocre finish. Fifth-rounder David Cobb managed only 2.8 yards per carry while leading rusher Antonio Andrews mustered a 3.6 mark. Bishop Sankey, a second-rounder in 2014, faced further demotion.
MORE: Early fantasy RB rankings
Free agent signee Ben Jones gives Tennessee a decent center while the Titans look set to enter the NFL draft with the need for an immediate starter at guard and tackle. Marcus Mariota and Taylor Lewan look like first-round hits in consecutive years and top-10 pick Chance Warmack could still grow into a decent starter at guard.
If DeMarco Murray can revert to 2014 form, Titans have solid supporting cast for Mariota. Will need better OL play pic.twitter.com/gBDNUJ0HKE
— Pro Football Focus (@PFF) March 10, 2016
If Mularkey can leverage Mariota's ability to run, Murray has a chance to bounce back from a nightmare 2015 in which opposing teams bragged of predicting their run calls based on formation as early as Week 2. Going out of the Eagles' shotgun produced miserable results compared to Tony Romo delivering the handoff from behind center, and Mularkey says Tennessee will follow more of the latter than last year.
MORE: Murray ready for fresh start
Even if the Titans draft tackle Laremy Tunsil No. 1, the blocking in front of Murray won't hold a candle to what he got in Dallas. They will probably cover some patch of ground between Murray's rushing title in 2014 and nightmare 2015, but appears well-situated to improve Tennessee's 24th-ranked run game in yards per carry at 3.9. Murray's 214 receptions in five years also prove he's a good outlet when plays break down.
It's essentially a two-year commitment for a major boost at running back, key to taking weight off the future of their franchise.