No one can blame Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones for taking the frugal approach and resisting the urge to shell out a huge contract to a running back last year in free agency. Likewise, no one can blame DeMarco Murray for cashing in on the best year of his career and signing a five-year deal for $40 million with the Philadelphia Eagles. However, we can blame Chip Kelly for alienating Murray to such a degree that the running back now wants to return to Dallas despite Kelly's firing. We can also blame Kelly for putting Philly in such a tough financial and personnel situation that they are actually open to trading their prized free agent from one year ago.
While Darren McFadden filled in admirably in 2015 - he finished fourth in the NFL in rushing with 1,089 yards while averaging 4.6 yards a pop and catching 40 balls - it would be unwise to bank on the oft-injured ball carrier repeating the effort next season. Reacquiring Murray, or adding any veteran option, does make sense for the Cowboys, as long as it comes at the right price.
The most obvious impediment to such a deal is compensation. How much are the Cowboys willing to give up for Murray and what will the Eagles be looking to get for him? Murray was still a force in Philly's passing game (44 receptions, 322 yards) but he fell out of favor with Kelly and that was reflected on the depth chart and his rushing numbers. Whatever went on behind the scenes and on the field, it didn't help Murray's trade value.
The second hurdle to jump through if the Cowboys are serious about getting Murray back is his contract. There's no way they would stomach the money Philly gave him, which means Murray would have to agree to a restructured deal. From a financial standpoint, the Eagles would only be on the hook for a $4 million salary cap charge if they traded him this year before his deal comes off the books in 2017. If they cut him, they take a $13 million cap hit, which isn't happening. If the Eagles want out, which seems likely, it's going to be via trade.
But if the Cowboys do want to land him, they would have to pay his fully-guaranteed base salary of $7 million this year and at least $2 million of his fully guaranteed money in 2017. If Murray wants out, he's going to have to take less in 2016 and possibly waive his guarantees for next year. To quote a popular meme, his price is just too damn high!
On the surface, it doesn't seem like the Eagles and Cowboys would want to deal with one another as division rivals. But back in 2007, the Cowboys traded up with the Eagles in the draft to grab Anthony Spencer, and Philly took Kevin Kolb with one of the selections. Trading within the division may be rare, but it's not unheard of.
