One of the biggest offseason questions facing the Dallas Cowboys after their 13-5 season, and one that will need to be answered sooner rather than later, is whether they bring back running back DeMarco Murray on the heels of his record-setting season.
Emotion and sentiment says it's a no-brainer, but logic might say otherwise.
So what if the Cowboys let Murray walk after the greatest season in franchise history for a running back? Where could the Cowboys go as an alternative? There's talk of the Cowboys looking to the draft to replace Murray, which would likely require a first-round pick (No. 27) and definitely no later than their second-round selection. There's also the possibility they look at the free agent or trade market for a guy like Mark Ingram, or even Adrian Peterson. But what about one more big trade target that hasn't been discussed as much as Peterson? What about Marshawn Lynch?
It was pretty well-documented throughout the season that Lynch and the Seahawks were butting heads, on one level or another, whether it was Lynch and Pete Carroll or Lynch and Russell Wilson, whatever the case there was something there. Where there is that much smoke, there is usually some bit of fire.
There were even reports after the postseason had began that Lynch was considering retirement following the season with one year left on his contract with the Seahawks. Then, of course, the Seahawks offered Lynch a big-money, long-term extension last week. That came before he was passed up for a golden chance to be a Super Bowl hero and win the game for the Seahawks when they instead threw an odd slant pass that was picked to seal the game for the Patriots in the closing seconds.
Since Lynch doesn't talk to the media, everything is based on speculation but there is plenty of reason to believe he isn't happy in Seattle. So if Lynch decides to keep playing, could Dallas be a potential landing spot?
Lynch is older than Murray, as he'll turn 29 in a couple of months, and his workload certainly isn't light. But he's a physical workhorse who's never had much in the way of significant injury, while Murray had his first 16-game season in five years in 2014 and of course had nearly 500 touches — a ridiculous workload that is sure to take its toll.
Sports Connection
Connecting you to your favorite North Texas sports teams as well as sports news around the globe.
It'll be interesting to see what Lynch decides to do. Does he retire? Does he take Seattle's deal, which reportedly includes a ton of upfront, guaranteed money, or does he get the hell out of dodge by demanding a trade?
