Kenneth Murray Trade Means Leadership Role in Revamped Cowboys Defense

The Dallas Cowboys traded for linebacker Kenneth Murray earlier this offseason, and the former first-round pick already feels comfortable in new defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus’ scheme.

“I think it’s a great fit,” Murray said, via Clarence Hill of All City DLLS. “I’ve been enjoying myself, obviously transitioning over from being traded and getting up to speed and stuff like that. Lot of things work to my strengths, coming down hill, playing the coverage, stuff like that. It’s been good. It’s been great being here during the offseason program, getting around the guys and just trying to come in and establish a culture and get better every day.”

Murray Is expected to be a Day 1 starter and could potentially wear the green dot to call plays on defense this year.

“I’m extremely comfortable with it,” Murray said of being the green dot. “I’ve done it the majority of my career, getting us in and out of checks, being able to decipher different things, different formation, stuff like that.”

Murray was a defensive captain with the Tennessee Titans last season and recorded 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble across 14 games.

As quarterback of the defense, Murray vows to improve the Cowboys run defense—which has been a major weakness over the past five seasons. Dallas ranked 29^th in run defense last year and have not ranked higher than 16^th since 2018.

“I think it’s just taking a different approach,” Murray said. “Obviously, it’s a new style coming in, and then, you know, got some new players. That’s something that I’ll take extremely personally. That’s the mentality I’m gonna bring to it. It’s personal, man. When they just running it down your throat, it’s unacceptable.”

Murray has a chance to be the run-stopping X-factor on the new—and hopefully improved—Dallas defense.