Tennessee Titans have announced on Thursday that they’ve released their All-Pro running back DeMarco Murray. The 30-year-old spent two seasons with the Titans, joining them in 2016 from Philadelphia Eagles. He had two years left on his deal and was set to earn $6.5 million in 2018 and $6.75 million in 2019.
Thank You @DeMarcoMurray pic.twitter.com/YKs1Ya3N4Y
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 9, 2018
One of the major reasons for why the Titans decided to part ways with Murray is the lack of production he had in 2017 season. Although he was team’s leading running back in the last two seasons, Murray only managed career-low 659 rushing yards and tied his career low yards per carry with 3.6 yards in the last season. He also failed to reach 1,000 yards from scrimmage for the first time since 2012. It is also believed that the Titans want to give Derrick Henry, 2016 second-round pick, a more prominent role. Although he received fewer snaps than Murray in 2017, Henry was more productive.
“I want to thank DeMarco for his contributions as a Titan, not only for what he did on the field but also in the locker room and in the community,” – said the Titans general manager Jon Robinson in a statement. “He was a pro in every facet, and we wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
DeMarco Murray was selected 71st overall in the 2011 NFL Draft by the Dallas Cowboys. After three good seasons with the Cowboys, Murray exploded in 2014, when he had 1,845 rushing yards and 13 touchdowns, leading the NFL in both categories. He was also named First Team All-Pro. He signed with the Philadelphia Eagles in 2015 but had a disappointing season, after which the Eagles traded him to the Titans in exchange for 2016 fourth-round draft pick.
