Let's be perfectly honest. Next week, when the free agent waters in the NFL begin churning, one of the hottest names out there will be Dallas Cowboys running back DeMarco Murray.
That much has been confirmed, as Cowboys VP Stephen Jones has said they will let Murray test the market, and the market will be very hot for the 27-year-old back, who is coming off the best season in Cowboys history by a running back.
Murray is still young, is coming off a healthy season with his broken hand notwithstanding — an injury he played through — and he's an all-around back who is reliable as a three-down back. He's going to get big deal on the open market, one that the Cowboys won't be able to, or even want to match.
If Murray just absolutely loves it in Dallas and wants to take a shorter-term, less-expensive deal, then yeah, have at it, Cowboys. But I don't think that's happening, and Murray is in no way obligated to even consider such an offer.
The Cowboys would be wise not to give Murray any more than three years, but someone will do that and throw a lot of money at him. The team has plenty of other things to do this offseason, most notably upgrading its defense, and still has the best offensive line in football behind which you plug a lot of guys in and be successful on the ground.
While it's going to be a controversial move among fans, it's ultimately the right move to let Murray walk away, and by letting him test the open market, you're almost surely doing just that.
