When the Denver Broncos brought aboard Sean Payton as its new head coach, many assumed the team would re-sign running back Latavius Murray, who played under Payton in New Orleans. It's a position of relative weakness, and Murray was a source of strength amid Denver's brutal 2022 campaign.
However ... crickets. Murray remains an unrestricted free agent, now considered unlikely to return to the Mile High City, per 9NEWS insider Mike Klis.
"After signing former Bengals running back Samaje Perine – who at 27 years old and 240 pounds is a younger, slightly bigger version than the 33-year-old, 230-pound Murray – I would be surprised if Murray returns," Klis wrote in his latest mailbag, published Wednesday.
A former Pro Bowler, Murray was plucked off the Saints' practice squad last October following the season-ending knee injury to Broncos RB Javonte Williams. He proved to be a cure for what ailed the team's unreliable rushing attack, led by then-No. 2 Melvin Gordon.
Murray, 33, finished the year with 703 rushing yards and five touchdowns — and only one fumble, a stark contrast to Gordon (5) — across 160 carries, adding 26 catches for 124 receiving yards. The UCF product logged 12 appearances, including seven starts, as the Broncos limped to a 5-12 record.
Enter Payton, who ever-so-slightly cracked the door for a reunion with Murray.
“We’ll see," he said on March 27.
But the Broncos had other designs, signing RBs Samaje Perine and Tony Jones in free agency to pair with offseason roster incumbents Tyler Badie, Tyreik McAllister, and Damarea Crockett. The club is also expected to host Syracuse standout Sean Tucker on a top-30 pre-draft visit.
Murray, meanwhile, reportedly met with the Buffalo Bills on Wednesday, perhaps realizing he's no longer in Denver's plans.
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