Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray is set to be a free agent in March, but the league's leading rusher isn't concerned about his future with the franchise right now.
DeMarco Murray unconcerned about contract, NFL playoffs set ratings record
Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports
“I’m not worried about my future,” Murray told ESPNDallas.com’s Todd Archer on Tuesday. “I just lost a big game, the biggest game of my life. Just not worried about it right now. Just relax with my family and get away from it for a little bit.”
Murray might be insulted at the current offer on the table from the Cowboys. The NFL is clearly not paying running backs what they used to earn in previous years, but the latest reported contract offer seems low even by current standards.
Per @RapSheet, Cowboys have had a 4-year deal worth more than $16M on the table for DeMarco Murray. No wonder he hasn't signed.
— Chris Wesseling (@ChrisWesseling) January 14, 2015 Murray is not the only prominent Cowboys player who will be on the market this offseason, as wide receiver Dez Bryant is also set to reach free agency. The team has indicated it will does not want to lose Bryant and will make every effort to lock up the star wideout with a long-term contract or put the franchise tag on him for next season. However, it would be difficult for the Cowboys to hand out rich multi-year deals to both players, complicating Murray's situation.
Murray led the NFL with 1,845 rushing yards in 2014, setting the franchise single-season record as well. The fourth-year player posted career-highs in rushing yards, carries (392), receiving yards (416) and catches (57) during the regular season, and added 198 yards on the ground in two playoff games this year.
Coordinator updates
- According to a report by Ian Rapoport of NFL.com, the Washington defensive coordinator position is down to two candidates. After completing its interview with Raheem Morris either Tuesday or Wednesday, Washington will decide between Morris and San Diego Chargers linebackers coach Joe Barry.
- Rapoport also reports that if the Cowboys are not able to reach a deal to retain defensive coordinator Rod Marinelli, former Buffalo Bills DC Jim Schwartz (who had his contract terminated by the Bills on Tuesday) could emerge as a top candidate for the position in Dallas.
- The Cleveland Browns have scheduled two interviews for their open offensive coordinator position. Former Chicago Bears head coach Marc Trestman is set for tomorrow and Oakland Raiders quarterbacks coach John DeFilippo goes Friday, per Rapoport. Cleveland also requested permission to interview New York Jets assistant head coach Anthony Lynn for the OC job, according to ESPN.com's Adam Schefter.
- The Jacksonville Jaguars also have an open offensive coordinator position, and have requested to interview Lynn for their OC vacancy, a source told ESPN reporter Josina Anderson.
Panthers GM: "Move up a class" in free agency
Carolina Panthers GM Dave Gettleman spoke to the media on Tuesday and told reporters that the team will have more financial flexibility in free agency this offseason. He compared last year’s haul to “shopping at the dollar store” and said that this year they will “move up in class.”
The Panthers won the NFC South for the second straight season (albeit with a 7-8-1 record), earning back-to-back postseason appearances for the first time in franchise history. Carolina beat the Arizona Cardinals in the Wild Card round of the playoffs before losing to the Seattle Seahawks last weekend.
Record television ratings for Divisional round
The NFL announced Tuesday that an average of 37.8 million viewers watched the four Divisional round games on Saturday and Sunday, making it the most-watched NFL Divisional Weekend ever. The previous record of 36.6 million was set in 2011.
The Sunday afternoon contest between the Green Bay Packers and Dallas Cowboys averaged 44.4 million viewers, ranking as the second-most watched Divisional game ever behind the New York Giants-Green Bay Packers matchup in the 2011 postseason. The Indianapolis Colts-Denver Broncos (41.8 million), Baltimore Ravens-New England Patriots (34 million) and Panthers-Seahawks (31 million) games also got strong ratings over the weekend.
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