The Dallas Cowboys offseason is rarely a quiet one. From new head coach drama to unresolved contract extensions for star players like Micah Parsons, the headlines are always abundant. Yet, amidst the cacophony, a seemingly “smaller” move is now drawing significant criticism, one that could have far greater implications for their on-field success: the trade for linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. With ESPN’s Mina Kimes leading the charge, calling the move “bad” and the team’s linebacker group “very, very weak,” is this $28 million investment a hidden disaster brewing for America’s Team?
The Dallas Cowboys have a knack for dominating offseason headlines, often for reasons unrelated to actual game-winning strategies. This year is no different, with ongoing sagas surrounding the controversial hiring of Brian Schottenheimer as head coach (who “nobody wanted”), the trade for wide receiver George Pickens (who comes with a “bad reputation”), and the lingering uncertainty over Micah Parsons’ contract extension. These high-profile dramas, while captivating, have ironically allowed potentially critical roster flaws to “fade into the background”—a dangerous oversight in the razor-thin margins of the NFL.
Chief among these overlooked issues, according to prominent analysts, is the state of the Cowboys’ off-ball linebacker group, which Mina Kimes of ESPN bluntly labels as “one of the NFL’s weakest.” And the recent acquisition of former first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr., slated to start for Dallas, is at the heart of this criticism. The Cowboys obtained Murray in a trade with the Tennessee Titans on March 5th, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick and receiving Murray along with a 2025 seventh-round pick (No. 239 overall, used on Clemson RB Phil Mafah). This might seem like a minor exchange, but Kimes’ assessment is scathing: “I’m just not a fan of his game, to be honest… And I don’t think he solves any of their problem… that’s a very, very weak linebacker group. That’s been the Achilles heel of their defense, of course.”
Murray’s professional career since being drafted 23rd overall by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 has been a rollercoaster of inconsistency. While he started all 16 games as a rookie with a career-high 107 tackles, his performance significantly dipped thereafter, missing 6 games in 2021 and only recording 76 tackles in 2022. This inconsistency led the Chargers to decline his fifth-year option. He then signed a 2-year, $15.5 million free agent contract with the Titans in March 2024, and is due $7.5 million in 2025, bringing his total career earnings to $28.5 million. Metrics support Kimes’ concern: in 2024, Murray’s 45.9 overall grade from PFF was shockingly poor, ranking 169th out of 189 eligible linebackers—showing he was almost equally ineffective against both the run and the pass. While some, like Dan Rogers, see his “firecracker” speed and athleticism as positives, the overall data points to a player with significant weaknesses.
This isn’t just about one player; it’s about a fundamental deficiency at a crucial defensive position. The linebacker spot has repeatedly been identified as the “Achilles heel” of the Cowboys’ defense, and investing in a player with Murray’s inconsistent and, frankly, poor recent performance, raises serious questions about the front office’s strategy. While the Cowboys did sign another free agent linebacker, Jack Sanborn (1-year, $1.5 million), who has a good reputation for run defense (“Best Kept Secret” according to Bleacher Report), his presence might not be enough to offset the potential liabilities at the top of the depth chart, especially if Murray is slated to start.
The Dallas Cowboys’ offseason continues to generate more talk than actual tangible improvements. The trade for Kenneth Murray Jr., while overshadowed by other high-profile dramas, is now being scrutinized as a potentially damaging move that exacerbates an already “very, very weak” linebacker corps—a long-standing “Achilles heel” for their defense. With Kimes’ strong rebuke and Murray’s concerning PFF grades, serious doubts are cast on whether this $28 million investment will truly pay off. In the cutthroat environment of the NFL, overlooking seemingly “smaller” issues can derail an entire season. Will the Cowboys’ gamble on Murray prove to be a costly misstep, or can he defy expectations and solidify their linebacker group? Only time will tell if this latest offseason drama has real implications for their Super Bowl aspirations. What are your thoughts on this controversial trade?