The Saints are set to have a new backup running back. They are releasing Latavius Murray, Adam Schefter of ESPN.com tweets, adding that the veteran refused a pay cut Monday.
While this strips the Saints of another proven weapon, it will give other teams in need at running back an interesting option ahead of Week 1. Murray spent the past two seasons working as Alvin Kamara‘s backup. He saw extensive time during that stretch, surpassing 600 rushing yards in each season.
Murray agreed to a four-year, $14.4MM deal with New Orleans in 2019, coming over from Minnesota to replace Mark Ingram as Kamara’s between-the-tackles sidekick. The team’s pay-cut request certainly came at a late juncture; Murray, 31, was set to make $2.95MM in base salary this season.
Missing just one game during his two-year Saints stay, Murray totaled 1,293 rushing yards with the team. He scored 11 touchdowns as a Saint, filling in for an injured Kamara for short stretches in both seasons, and provided a smooth transition from Ingram. The Saints have fourth-year back Dwayne Washington and second-year UDFA Tony Jones Jr. as their active-roster backs behind Kamara. The latter appears the better bet to take over as Kamara’s primary backup. A Notre Dame product, Jones has three career carries but impressed this summer.
Saints are a disaster
I think fans of most teams would love to be the disaster they have been the past decade.
You mean not winning and having a bounty gate?
that’s still a bit odd, Murray was a great backup to Kamara
I’d take a closer look at Jones work.. guys a beast and a darn good receiver too
100% Agreed
Book a flight a to Baltimore.
He’s been good for them. Hate to see this
I am shocked I didn’t see the “they signed a contract so they need to honor it” posters.
Maybe it’s because this guy willingly signed a contract that wasn’t fully guaranteed, which gives the team an option to terminate the contract without paying the full amount. If these guys want fully guaranteed contracts, they have the ability to negotiate a contract structured that way.
That implies teams are willing to give out fully guaranteed contracts, which I imagine most teams would not do unless it was a significant discount.
I can see Miami trying to get him. They seem content with Gaskin, however.
I could see Miami calling. Depends on the $$ and I agree the Dolphins seem satisfied the Gaskin and Brown.. but does Murray make them better?
Murray could still be a good low cost investment. Most 6th round RBs don’t gain nearly 5000 yards during a career.