Seth Vigdor
It was too good to be true. The Eagles have had a solid week of re-signing key players and their defense automatically got better with the recent hire of Jim Schwartz as their defensive coordinator. Can we enjoy the recent positives within this organization? It feels pretty damn good right now and the atmosphere surrounding the team seems to be improving by the day, despite none of it really involving the head coach.
NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport apparently doesn’t want happiness for Philadelphia, because he’s come out with another report stating someone on the Eagles wants out. According to the report, the Eagles and DeMarco Murray appear “headed toward a stare-down regarding his future with the organization.”
Sounds awesome. Sounds great. I’m thrilled. I’m probably one of few that actually wants Murray to remain here. Which leads me to believe either Rapoport is 1) throwing shit at a wall, or 2) throwing shit at a wall.
Murray doesn’t feel completely comfortable with the organization, his role and how 2015 played out. He was a target for fans’ angst, and it never improved on the field.”
We’re well aware of the issues that Murray had last year with Chip Kelly and his role on the team. But wouldn’t Murray be thrilled now that Kelly is gone? I don’t get it.
Rapoport continued with his “report.”
Murray hasn’t asked to be released or traded, and the Eagles seem — at this point — intent on not cutting him. But the longer this situation goes without a resolution toward the belief that it can work, the greater chance it could explode. It’s fair to say Murray has eyes on greener pastures, places where he believes he can be successful and earn the large contract he signed. If he was released, teams like the Seahawks, Cowboys and Raiders (who were interested last offseason) would be interested again. He’s currently building a house in Dallas. It’s unclear how much interest there would be in a trade — and that likely would require a re-worked contract — and there has been no move yet to allow Murray to explore one. While the Eagles mull how to move forward, that could be the next step.”
This report has to be coming from somewhere, but it just seems like Rapoport could be stirring the pot a bit here. But, maybe he’s not. Eliot Shorr-Parks seems to lean towards team Rapoport’s thinking here.
If the #Eagles could find a trade partner for Murray, I'm sure they would do it in a heartbeat. Even for a 7th.
— Eliot Shorr-Parks (@EliotShorrParks) February 4, 2016
For what it’s worth, Murray was on ESPN today and said among other things that he wants to come back to the Eagles next season.
On ESPN, DeMarco Murray said he wants to be back with the Eagles. SportsCenter ESPN https://t.co/tP6IlIaIH6 pic.twitter.com/IL5MGl5VxO
— ClippitUsers Sports (@FanSportsClips) February 4, 2016
It looks like we’ll be hearing more on this story in the coming weeks.
I hope they keep him he’s awesome