After just one season, Philadelphia Eagles running back DeMarco Murray is reportedly eyeing "greener pastures." Considering how frustrating and ultimately pointless that season was, it kind of makes sense that Murray would look for a potential way out of Philly as NFL Network's Ian Rapoport suggested on Thursday. But it won't be easy, for the Eagles, who have "doubts" about Murray's future, or Murray, who has $9 million in guaranteed money remaining on his five-year, $40 million deal. If he did shake loose though, the Oakland Raiders are among a small group of teams that Rapoport is hearing would have interest in the formerly highly touted ballcarrier.
As Rapoport notes, the Raiders had interest in Murray last offseason before he landed with Philly. Murray is a bigger back with a sleek running style - kind of like current Raider starter, Latavius Murray. Latavius Murray had a strong 2015, while DeMarco struggled to put up just 702 yards on the ground.
The Raiders' Murray, in his second NFL season and second year with Oakland, eclipsed the 1,000-yard mark en route to a Pro Bowl berth. Latavius isn't a polished back and despite the strides he made and those made by the entire Raider offense, still managed just 4.0 yards-per-carry. DeMarco, in perhaps his worst season as a pro, averaged 3.6 yards-per-tote.
For the Raiders, it likely makes little sense to pick up another big back, especially if it would require shipping assets off to Philly and/or taking on an inflated contract. If the Eagles do cut DeMarco loose and he's willing to take a cheap deal in Oakland, it could be a possibility.
But with Latavius already in place and DeMarco carrying a $13 million dead cap penalty if the Eagles cut him this offseason, it seems something like a pipedream that the Raiders would have serious, significant interest.
