The Tennessee Titans are reportedly in talks with the Philadelphia Eagles to trade for former NFL rushing champ DeMarco Murray. Murray was expected to be a cap casualty or to be dealt in a trade so this outcome is not necessarily surprising. This will help out quarterback Marcus Mariota tremendously because teams will have to expect the Titans to run the ball.
Murray signed a $40 million deal with $21 million guaranteed to the Eagles just a season ago, and this was exactly the deal Murray had been looking for. Now that deal will likely be restructured as the Titans may want Murray, but not for how much he has been charging. Murray is expected to come to Tennessee with an adjusted contract and will likely be the figurehead of this running back committee.
The Titans were unbelievably bad at running the ball last season as they finished 25th in the league. Even Mariota who missed several games last season managed to record the second most rushing yards on the team with 252. That is truly a ridiculous stat when you think about it, and the Titans have four running backs they had active during the season.
Antonio Andrews, Bishop Sankey, David Cobb and Dexter McCluster are all plausible backup running backs, however none of them could lead the offensive backfield in Tennessee. Murray can lead the Titans' rushing attack even with their porous offensive line. The Titans were ranked dead last in short yardage/ power running, and adding Murray should change that significantly.
In 2015 Murray recorded eight starts, 193 rushing attempts, 762 rushing yards, 3.6 yards per carry, 6 touchdowns and 2 fumbles. Murray's numbers were the lowest of his career, and this could be due to how then-Eagles' coach Chip Kelly ran that offensive system but also could be because there were several high-quality backs already on the roster. In Tennessee there will be a significant difference between the starting running back's reps and the backs below him. This means Murray will have more time to get into a rhythm as he runs.
The Titans are also expected to select the best offensive lineman in the draft, so this could help their offensive line woes as Laremy Tunsil should be a sizable upgrade from any of the players protecting Mariota right now. This means that Murray will likely have a better line to run behind which will give Mariota a lot more help on offense which is exactly what the Titans need.
