If you paid attention to the performance of Tennessee Titans running back Derrick Henry during their playoff run last season, it won’t come as a shock that the team announced Thursday they will be releasing DeMarco Murray.
“I want to thank DeMarco for his contributions as a Titan, not only for what he did on the field but also in the locker room and in the community,” Titans general manager Jon Robinson said in a statement. “He was a pro in every facet and we wish him and his family the best moving forward.”
The Titans have informed RB DeMarco Murray that he will be released.
Details 📰 » https://t.co/OE6YTTTPrt pic.twitter.com/gpKcvA9I5T
— Tennessee Titans (@Titans) March 8, 2018
Murray still had two years left on the four-year contract he signed with Tennessee before the 2016 season. They can release him now with no cap hit. If they’d kept Murray, he would have counted $6.5 million against their 2018 salary cap.
Murray started 15 games for the Titans last season, but his production was way down. He averaged 3.6 yards per carry, tied for his career low, and gained just 650 yards and scored six touchdowns. He caught 39 passes for 266 yards and a score.
Tennessee drafted his replacement shortly after signing Murray, picking Henry in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft. He had just two starts last season, but in rotational work averaged 4.2 yards per carry, gained 744 yards and scored five touchdowns. He caught 11 passes foe 136 yards and a TD.
DeMarco Murray's release leaves just 5 NFL halfbacks on non-rookie contracts with base value of at least $5 million a year: Devonta Freeman, LeSean McCoy, Lamar Miller, Gio Bernard and Latavius Murray. No easy battle for Le'Veon Bell to reset that market.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 8, 2018
Murray will be entering his eighth season in the league and likely still has some gas in the tank. Just a season ago, he rushed for 1,287 yards and nine touchdowns in his first season with Tennessee. With the miles on him, he might have to wait until after the draft to land with a team.
49ERS EXTEND MARQUISE GOODWIN
Speedster Marquise Goodwin may have found his forever home. The San Francisco 49ers announced Thursday they had reached agreement on a three-year extension with the former Olympic prospect worth $20.3 million with $10 million in guaranteed cash.
Easy to see the #49ers deal with Marquise Goodwin as a win-win. They took a flier on him last year, and he was easily their most productive receiver. He cashes in this year… and will likely be better with Jimmy G all season.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 8, 2018
The contract will be added onto the end of his current deal, which was set to expire at the end of the 2018-19 season.
Goodwin had career highs in catches (56) and yardage (962) last season and hauled in two touchdowns.
CHRIS HARRIS JR. STAYING IN DENVER
In a no-brainer move, the Denver Broncos used their 2018 contract option to retain the services of Pro Bowl cornerback Chris Harris Jr. for another season. He’ll make $8.5 million this year and is set to be a free agent in 2019 unless the Broncos hit him with the franchise tag.
Harris has started 93 games for the Broncos since they signed him as an undrafted free agent out of Kansas. Last season he finished with 40 tackles, seven passes defended, one forced fumble and two interceptions.
