In the ever-turbulent world of the NFL, every trade decision can become the center of attention, and the Kenneth Murray Jr. deal between the Dallas Cowboys and the Tennessee Titans is no exception. With a contract valued at $15.5 million, including a projected $7.5 million salary in 2025, Murray has become a controversial figure. Notably, when ESPN’s renowned analyst Mina Kimes voiced sharp criticism, she sparked heated debates about the rationale behind this trade. Did the Cowboys make a sound decision, or was this a misstep in their effort to bolster their defense?
Mina Kimes and Her Sharp Insights
Mina Kimes, widely regarded as one of the NFL’s sharpest analysts, didn’t hold back in expressing her skepticism about this trade on The Mina Kimes Show on June 4, 2025. She bluntly stated, “I’m not a fan of Kenneth Murray Jr.’s play, let’s be real. And I don’t think he’s going to solve any of the Cowboys’ linebacker issues. Their linebacker group is very weak right now, and that’s always been the Achilles’ heel of this defense.”
Kimes’ remarks weren’t just an opinion but were backed by alarming statistics. In the 2024 season, Murray recorded an overall Pro Football Focus (PFF) grade of 45.9, ranking 169 out of 189 players at his position—a figure that highlights his struggles in both pass coverage and run defense. For a team like the Cowboys, already under pressure to improve their defense, investing heavily in a player with such underwhelming performance has left Kimes and many analysts questioning the move.
The Kenneth Murray Trade: A Gamble or a Mistake?
On March 5, 2025, the Dallas Cowboys finalized a trade with the Tennessee Titans, acquiring Kenneth Murray Jr. and a seventh-round pick (No. 239) in the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for a sixth-round pick (No. 188). On paper, this move aimed to strengthen the Cowboys’ linebacker corps, which has been plagued by a lack of depth, particularly amid injuries and inconsistent play on the defensive side.
However, Kimes argues that Murray is not the solution the Cowboys need. She points out that his only notable strength is his ability to pressure quarterbacks, but this alone doesn’t compensate for his deficiencies elsewhere. “Murray has only stood out in generating pressure over the last two seasons, but beyond that, he’s not effective as an inside linebacker. He’s weak in both run defense and pass coverage,” Kimes emphasized.
Moreover, with a $7.5 million salary for the 2025 season, Murray’s career earnings will rise to $28.5 million. This is a significant sum, especially when compared to his on-field performance. Many argue that the Cowboys took a big gamble on a player who was a first-round pick by the Los Angeles Chargers in 2020 but has yet to live up to the expectations tied to that draft status.
The Bigger Picture: Cowboys and Off-Field Controversies
The Murray trade isn’t the only issue putting the Cowboys under scrutiny. The 2025 season has been a tumultuous one for the team, marked by drama surrounding the appointment of new head coach Brian Schottenheimer, controversies over the trade for wide receiver George Pickens, and the ongoing failure to extend star player Micah Parsons’ contract. These challenges have placed the Cowboys’ decisions, including the Murray trade, under a microscope.
Mina Kimes, a vocal supporter of Micah Parsons, believes the team should focus on building a robust defense around talents like Parsons rather than spending on contracts that don’t deliver. In a prior analysis, she stressed that retaining Parsons, a symbol of resilience and determination, is critical for the Cowboys. Bringing in a player like Murray, with a lackluster track record, seems to contradict the vision Kimes advocates.
A Potential Bright Spot: Can Jack Sanborn Save the Day?
Despite Kimes’ pessimism about Murray, the Cowboys have a glimmer of hope with the signing of another linebacker, Jack Sanborn, through free agency. Sanborn, who played three seasons with the Chicago Bears, has been called the “best-kept secret” in the Cowboys’ roster by Bleacher Report. With a one-year, $1.5 million contract, Sanborn offers strong run defense, boasting a 70.5 PFF grade in the 2024 season.
Compared to Murray, Sanborn may be a more cost-effective and efficient option for strengthening the defense. However, whether he can fill the gaps Kimes believes the Cowboys are missing remains a significant question, especially as the team faces tough NFC opponents like the Philadelphia Eagles and San Francisco 49ers.
Conclusion
Mina Kimes has fearlessly exposed the flaws in the Kenneth Murray Jr. trade, raising questions about whether the Cowboys are heading in the wrong direction in their roster-building efforts. With a weak linebacker unit and growing pressure from fans, the $15.5 million investment in Murray could become a blemish on the team’s strategy. Meanwhile, Jack Sanborn’s arrival offers a ray of hope, but it’s not enough to fully alleviate the concerns raised by Kimes and other analysts.
As the 2025 season approaches, all eyes will be on the Dallas Cowboys to see if they can prove Kimes wrong or if her warnings will come to fruition. One thing is certain: with Mina Kimes’ sharp and unapologetic analysis, NFL fans will continue to engage in lively discussions about the future of “America’s Team.”