Thursday, NFL Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported that despite Chip Kelly no longer being the head-coach of the Philadelphia Eagles, running-back DeMarco Murray's future with the team is much less certain than many believed it to be.
In fact, Eagles and Murray appear headed toward a stare-down regarding his future with the organization, according to several sources informed of the situation. The division bogs down to: Murray's unsuccessful 2015 campaign during which he rushed for only 702 yards, the Eagles' lack of conviction that he's the right back and the massive contract Murray signed last offseason.
For his part, Murray said on SportsCenter, in an interview that he presumably was doing unaware of Rapoport's report, that he wants to return to the Eagles in 2016.
ESPN's Adam Caplan appeared with Joe DeCamera on 97.5 The Fanatic yesterday evening, and made it clear that if any move is made with Murray, it won't involve him being released.
"They're not gonna cut him. No matter what, they are not gonna cut him. The bonus acceleration is bad, the dead-money, it wouldn't work."
A release of Murray would cost the Eagles $13 million in dead cap money, which is an amount that the team would seem foolish to even consider. Had Kelly returned as head-coach, things may have been so irreconcilable between the two that biting the bullet and releasing him may have been necessary. But Kelly hasn't returned, so despite the possibility that Murray may have a bad taste in his mouth currently, there is reason to believe that could change and incentive to attempt to make sure it changes.
A trade seems like it would be nearly impossible. The Eagles haven't paid Murray all of the $18 million that they guaranteed him as part of his deal, and they would have to do that as part of any trade. In addition, the Eagles wouldn't get anything in return for Murray given his 2015 season, so trading him doesn't seem as though it would benefit the Eagles in any way.
Tim Kelly (@TimKellySports) is an editorial assistant for Eagledelphia.com.
