The running back position has been one of the biggest stories of the Eagles’ offseason so far, and it appears it’s going to get even more interesting. According to ESPN’s Adam Caplan, the Eagles and the best free agent back available, DeMarco Murray, have mutual interest.
The Eagles are all too familiar with Murray from his four years as a member of the NFC East rival Cowboys, with whom he eclipsed the 1,000-yard plateau the previous two seasons. Murray especially dazzled in 2014, amassing NFL bests in rushing attempts (392), yards (1,845) and touchdowns (13, tied with Seattle’s Marshawn Lynch). Those numbers will certainly help Murray in his quest to earn a big contract, and it might come with a Philadelphia team looking to fill a big void in its backfield.
After a weeklong waiting period, the Eagles completed a trade that sent four-time 1,000-yard rusher LeSean McCoy to Buffalo for linebacker Kiko Alonso on Tuesday. McCoy spent the first six years of his career in Philly and made three Pro Bowls, but head coach and personnel czar Chip Kelly elected to move in another direction. That direction was supposed to lead Kelly to longtime 49er Frank Gore, but the 10-year veteran reneged on a deal with the Eagles and is leaning toward signing with the Colts.
Now, with the Eagles having dealt McCoy and swung and missed on Gore, they turn their attention to Murray. It’ll undoubtedly cost the Eagles a significant amount of money to sign Murray, whom other teams are chasing. Ian Rapoport of NFL.com reported Tuesday that the Cardinals, Jaguars and Buccaneers are possible landing spots for the 27-year-old, while Todd Archer of ESPN.com wrote that the Cowboys are still in play. Per Archer, the Cowboys spoke to Murray’s agent, Bill Johnson, on Monday night. Nevertheless, Murray has since become a free agent and he might end up trading one NFC East team’s uniform for another.