The Dallas Cowboys took more than a few major gambles this offseason. With just one game left to go in the regular season, it's clear that most of them didn't pan out.
One of the team's quieter roster-building moves was a trade for Kenneth Murray Jr., a former first-round linebacker they acquired by swapping late-round picks with the Tennessee Titans. At the time, it looked like the Cowboys found a capable starter for a relatively low cost. Now, it's painfully obvious why the Titans were so willing to ship the defender away.
Murray's contract is set to expire at the end of the season, giving Dallas an easy decision to make.
Cowboys won't have to think twice about letting Kenneth Murray leave in free agency
Murray has been able to stay healthy this season, playing in each of the Cowboys' 17 games so far. Unfortunately, that might be the only positive thing that can be said about his campaign. The veteran linebacker has struggled in all areas since coming to Dallas.
Despite his large frame, he's been unable to make an impact in run defense. His pursuit angles have been subpar, and he has missed crucial tackles far too often. Per PFF, his 55 tackles are the fourth-lowest in the NFL among linebackers with at least 800 defensive snaps.
It doesn't get much better in pass defense. He hasn't been able to read opposing quarterbacks well, often finding himself a step behind where he should be. The former Titan isn't making the game-changing plays that this team needs. Offenses have been able to pick on Murray consistently, leaving a glaring weakness in the Cowboys' defense.
The linebacker's two-year, $15.5 million contract comes to an end after this season. Spotrac estimates that his market value in the offseason will hover around $5.1 million per year. Even at that low cost, the Cowboys should let him walk.
Dallas already traded for former Cincinnati Bengals linebacker Logan Wilson, indicating an awareness of the need to replace Murray.
Whether through the draft or free agency, the Cowboys need to find a way to upgrade the linebacker position. Their defensive rebuild has shown some promising signs, with defensive tackle Quinnen Williams looking like a piece to shape the unit around. But if they can't fix the issue at linebacker, the defense will always be limited. That starts with letting Murray walk out the door as soon as his contract expires.