Murray Jr. Promises One Key Improvement for the Cowboys Defense

The Dallas Cowboys made several moves this offseason to improve their defense heading into the 2025 season. Dallas added value to the linebacker room by trading for former first-round pick Kenneth Murray Jr., and by signing linebacker Jack Sanborn.

Both are penciled in as starters. And …

Murray is expected to contribute from Day 1 and there are rumors coming out of OTAs that he could wear the green dot to call plays this year.

As someone who could immediately step in to relay the defensive play calls and quarterback the defense, Murray is vowing the unit will improve in a key area that’s haunted them for years.

Murray believes the Cowboys must stop the run if they truly want to be a great defense group.

"The first thing you need to start by building a great defense is stopping the run,” Murray said, via DLLS. “And so I think that was really the first thing that Ebeflus kind of talked about was stopping the run as a pillar of our defense. It’s definitely an emphasis for us.

"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 that’s mentality I’m gonna bring to it. It’s personal, man. When they just running it down your throat, it’s unacceptable."

Defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus is known for an aggressive scheme and consistently getting stellar play out of his linebackers.

Murray recorded 95 tackles, 3.5 sacks, an interception, and a forced fumble across 14 games last season in Tennessee.

But now?

Murray has a chance to be a key contributor on a Cowboys defense that’s looking to be an elite level unit.