A head coaching change for the Philadelphia Eagles may not be enough to mend fences with highly-paid running back DeMarco Murray. Murray, who struggled through a difficult 2015 that resulted in just 702 yards on the ground and was highlighted not by his accomplishments on the field but by an in-flight conversation with team owner Jeffrey Lurie, is "not in a good place" with the franchise, according to NFL Network's Ian Rapoport, even after Chip Kelly's ousting.
Per Rapoport, there are "doubts" as to whether Murray, who is slated to count $8 million against the cap in 2016 and has $9 million in guaranteed money left on his five-year, $40 million free agent deal, will ever be able to recapture the form he once displayed with the rival Dallas Cowboys.
2015 was a frustrating season for the entire Eagles team, not just Murray, so the hope in Philly is obviously that the change from Kelly to Pederson will work wonders beyond just the backfield. But Murray, whether he wants to be or not, is a poster-child for the failed campaign both because of the size of his contract and the fanfare that accompanied his signing.
Murray admitted Thursday, the same day Rapoport's report was published, that 2015 was "the most frustrated" he'd ever felt in his life, per Philly.com's Jeff McLane.
According to Rapoport, while Murray now "has eyes on greener pastures," he has not asked to be released or traded and the team has not approached him about possibly seeking one out. Cutting him would cost the Eagles $13 million in a dead cap penalty, so there's little chance of that coming to pass.
In the end, if Murray is to find a new football home, he may have to restructure his massive contract. As Rapoport notes, teams would be interested in a player only one season removed from leading the league in rushing, but finding a deal that works for all three sides - Murray, the Eagles and whatever team that would acquire him - won't be easy.
