DeMarco Murray is currently leading the NFL in rushing and it could not be coming at a better time considering the Dallas Cowboys running back is in a contract year with the team. Murray is playing a very large part in the success of the Cowboys in recent weeks and he is on pace to break the single-season record for carries by a running back. Murray's success could mean a big pay day for the running back this coming offseason, but it might not be with the Cowboys.
Dallas did not attempt to negotiate a new contract with the running back last season given the team's salary cap constraints. That immediately made the Cowboys at risk of losing Murray next year. If the running back put up good numbers, he would demand a contract the team likely could not afford. Right now, he is on track to do just that. Considering other players like Dez Bryant are also expecting monster contracts, Murray could bounce at the end of the year.
According to Dallas Morning News, the Cowboys might not fight Murray on his pending exit. The team has solid running back depth that might be able to handle the loss of the starter. Joseph Randle and Lance Dunbar have certainly shown they can be quality players despite their lack of playing time. Randle currently has 61 yards off 11 carries while Dunbar has 27 yards off 11 carries. Considering Murray has a total of 130 carries, it is hard to tell if Randle and Dunbar would be enough to make up for losing Murray.
"I think there's a realistic chance of that happening," said Jon Machota of the Dallas Morning News. "But I don't think it's the end of the world if it does. Will Randle, Dunbar and Williams be enough to replace him? I doubt it. They could possibly draft a running back as well. But the offensive line has been a big part of Murray's success and they're not going anywhere. With all of that said, Jerry Jones doesn't let many good players get away. I think he'll find some way to keep Murray in Dallas, even if it's just the one-year franchise tag."
There is also the Adrian Peterson case to think about when it comes to Dallas. Prior to the child abuse allegations brought upon the Minnesota Vikings running back, there were reports that the Cowboys would attempt to make a deal for him in the coming summer or when his contract expires. ESPN reported that Peterson notified Jones about his interest in joining the team. The owner confirmed the phone call, but denied anything was in the works. That could be enough to push Murray out the door.
