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The market for DeMarco Murray is heating up, and the Eagles are reportedly ready to steal him away from their division rivals.
Murray, the Cowboys’ two-time Pro Bowl halfback and last season’s NFL leading rusher, is flying to Philadelphia on Thursday for a meeting with the Eagles, a source told CSN’s Derrick Gunn.
Earlier on Wednesday, new Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford, a former college teammate of Murray’s at Oklahoma, said he’s been lobbying Murray into a reunion in Philly.
Murray’s visit could be a serious indication of his plans to move on from Dallas or a ploy to get the Cowboys to raise their offer.
Murray, who totaled 2,261 yards last season and scored 13 touchdowns, is a strong, powerful runner who averages 4.8 yards per carry for his career.
The Eagles are looking for a primary ball carrier after trading LeSean McCoy, the franchise’s all-time leading rusher and 2013 NFL rushing champion, to the Bills for linebacker Kiko Alonso and major cap relief.
They initially had their sights set on Frank Gore but the former 49ers halfback ducked out of an agreement to sign with the Colts.
Right now, the only running backs on the Eagles’ roster who’ve ever carried the ball in an NFL game are Chris Polk, veteran Darren Sproles and Kenjon Barner. Matt Tucker has spent most of the last two seasons on the practice squad.
Technically, Polk is a restricted free agent but the Eagles are expected to retain him on the lowest-level tender.
Murray, a 2011 third-round pick and two-time Pro Bowler, had problems staying healthy in his first two seasons but has emerged as one of the game’s best runners over the past two seasons with over 2,900 rushing yards combined in 2013 and 2014.
He led the NFL last season with 392 carries, 1,845 yards and 13 rushing touchdowns.
