DeMarco Murray Expected to Return to Cowboys After Last Season

DeMarco Murray has found new life with the Tennessee Titans in 2016, but the star running back originally thought he would be making a return to the Dallas Cowboys. 

Per Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Murray said a deal between the Cowboys and Philadelphia Eagles got very close to happening:

"

It was like 95 percent sure I was going to come back there. I have a lot of respect for those guys — the Jones family, Will [McClay], coach [Jason] Garrett obviously and [Tony] Romo and Wit [Jason Witten], all those guys. I still consider them a great franchise, and they’re great friends of mine.

I was very close to going back there. There were some things that fell through and just didn’t happen. I think everything happens for a reason. I’m here, and I’m supposed to be here. They’ve got a pretty good young back over there as well.

"

Williams confirmed Murray's comments, noting a source within the Cowboys organization said a reunion was "close" to happening before the Eagles decided they preferred to trade him to a team outside of their division. 

Murray signed with the Eagles in March 2015 after a record-setting season with the Cowboys in which he led the NFL with 392 carries, 1,845 yards and 13 touchdowns. He struggled in Chip Kelly's system last year, starting just eight games and averaging a career-low 3.6 yards per carry. 

Once the Eagles fired Kelly, the front office did everything in its power to distance itself from that era. Murray said he was engaged in the trade talks and had discussions with new Eagles coach Doug Pederson, but his "heart" wasn't really with the team.

“Obviously, the scheme just wasn’t a fit for me, and I wasn’t a fit for them,” Murray said. “It wasn’t pointing fingers or anything. It just wasn’t a good relationship. Those things happen, and you learn from them. I was fortunate enough to come here and be here and be a Titan now.”

The Titans traded for Murray in March, betting on a return to form by the 28-year-old. Through five games this season, he ranks second in the NFL with 461 rushing yards and is one of only three running backs with at least 90 rushing attempts averaging five yards per carry, per ESPN.com.

There are a lot of problems with the Titans offense this season, but Murray has at least given it a foundation piece it can build around.