Todd Archer of ESPN Dallas writes that the recent contracts being handed out to running backs could actually help the Cowboys retain RB DeMarco Murray at a reasonable price.
Archer points to the fact that Donald Brown and Toby Gerhart wound up securing the best contracts for running backs in the free agent market this year. Both players received a three-year deal worth $10.5 million, but Gerhart edged Brown in full guaranteed by $500,000.
Even if Murray is able to convince the Cowboys that he’s worth more in the long-run, it seems much more likely that he will come closer to these contracts than the contracts signed by Adrian Peterson, LeSean McCoy and Arian Foster who all topped $20 million guaranteed.
Murray, 26, trigger an escalator in his rookie contract that will increase his base salary from $755,469 to $1.389 million in 2014.
He is entering his final year of his rookie contract and previous reports have indicated that a long-term extension is not on the horizon for Murray this offseason, which means next season will be a big year him to prove his worth ahead of free agency in 2015.
Last season, Murray appeared in 14 games for Dallas and totaled 1,124 yards rushing on 217 carries (5.2 YPC) to go along with 10 combined touchdowns.
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