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By Jeff Howe, Jon Machota, Saad Yousuf and RJ Kraft
The Dallas Cowboys continue to add to their roster with the latest move being a trade for Tennessee Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr., according to team sources. The teams will be swapping late-round picks, according to multiple reports.
Murray, who is 26 years old, has been a starter across five seasons with the Los Angeles Chargers (2020-23) and the Titans. In his lone year with Tennessee, Murray recorded a team-leading 95 tackles along with 3 1/2 sacks, one interception and one forced fumble. He is signed through the 2025 season with a cap number of $10.16 million.
Murray will likely slide into the middle linebacker spot that current free agent Eric Kendricks started 15 games at in 2024 under new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus. He is the fourth former first-round pick — Murray was selected with the 23rd pick in 2020 by the Chargers out of the University of Oklahoma — that the Cowboys have added on the defensive side of the football in the last week. The team agreed to terms with defensive end Payton Turner (28th pick in 2021 by the Saints) and defensive tackle Solomon Thomas (third pick in 2017 by the 49ers). On Wednesday, the team traded for defensive back Kaiir Elam (23rd pick in 2022 by the Bills) in a deal with Buffalo.
In five seasons, Murray has 416 tackles, 8 1/2 sacks, three interceptions and two forced fumbles. He had two seasons with over 100 tackles and has averaged just over 96 tackles in his four seasons where he has played at least 14 games.
Murray adds depth to linebacker room
Cowboys are covering their bases when it comes to the linebacker position. Marist Liufau emerged as a stable piece in the middle last year as a rookie, but the Cowboys have a lot of question marks around him. Kendricks was a Mike Zimmer guy, so it’s unlikely the Cowboys bring him back after his one year in Dallas last year under Zimmer. Damone Clark is a decent veteran depth piece.
DeMarvion Overshown is the big piece to the puzzle but he will miss time to begin the season as he recovers from a serious knee injury late last season. Trading for Murray, after signing free-agent linebacker Jack Sanborn, gives the Cowboys options at linebacker next to Liufau, and it helps boost some bodies they can work in on special teams. — Saad Yousuf, Cowboys beat writer
Injuries have impacted LB position in Dallas
Linebacker hasn’t exactly been a position of strength in Dallas. Injuries have been a big reason. From Sean Lee to Jaylon Smith to Leighton Vander Esch to Overshown, the Cowboys’ best linebackers haven’t been able to stay on the field. Overshown’s latest knee injury could keep him out a large portion of the 2025 season.
Dallas badly needed help at the position and Murray should be able to be a quality starter alongside Liufau and Sanborn. A linebacker could still be added later in the draft but it’s nowhere near the need it was 24 hours ago. — Jon Machota, Cowboys beat writer
(Photo: Chris Graythen / Getty Images)
