Chip Kelly: Eagles Didn't Sign Murray to Hurt Cowboys

The Eagles signed DeMarco Murray to a five-year, $42 million deal two weeks ago

When the Philadelphia Eagles signed DeMarco Murray to a five-year, $42 million deal two weeks ago, they got the reigning Offensive Player of the Year, a player that figures to immediately make them better. As an added bonus, the move means they will no longer have to face Murray twice a year.

But Eagles head coach Chip Kelly insists the team’s sole motivation in signing Murray was a desire to make themselves better, and had nothing to do with making the rival Cowboys worse.

We never look at it that way,” Kelly said, per the Dallas Morning News. “We’re just trying to acquire players. We don’t say let’s take this player over that player because it’s going to make that team weaker. I know Dallas is going to be a tough opponent when we play them this year.”

Last year, Murray broke the Cowboys franchise record with 1,845 rushing yards and had a career-high 13 touchdowns. He was also credited by Jason Garrett with setting the tone for the team down the stretch and into the playoffs, when he played through a broken bone in his hand.

“Obviously, you just look at him statistically in terms of what he did,” Kelly said. “You know what kind of workhorse back he is. He has unbelievable patience and vision.
“There’s a toughness to him. He never really takes negative yardage plays.”

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