Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report

The Saints moved on from Murray after he refused to take a pay cut

By Jeff Kerr
27 mins ago

he New Orleans Saints are going with a different No. 2 running back for the 2021 season, releasing Latavius Murray after he refused to take a pay cut prior to the start of the year, per ESPN's Adam Schefter. Murray was in line to be the backup running back to Alvin Kamara for Sunday's season opener versus the Green Bay Packers, but instead he will be looking for another team for this season.

Murray, who had two years remaining on his contract, had a cap number of $4.176 million this season and $4.3 million in 2022. The Saints will save $2.327 million in salary cap space with the move, crucial for a front office that was just $2.1 million under the salary cap entering the year. The 31-year-old Murray was coming off a solid season, rushing for 656 yards and averaging 4.5 yards per carry. He also recorded 23 catches for 176 yards and a touchdown.

In two seasons as Kamara's backup, Murray rushed for 1,293 yards, averaged 4.4 yards per carry and finished with 11 scrimmage touchdowns. Murray has rushed for 4,991 yards and 43 touchdowns in seven seasons while catching 185 passes for 1,294 yards and two touchdowns. He made the Pro Bowl in 2015 with the then-Oakland Raiders, rushing for 1,066 yards (his lone 1,000-yard season) and six touchdowns.

With Murray no longer in New Orleans, Kamara could see an increase in touches. He's averaged 17 touches per game in his four-year career, but averaged 18 last season.

Tony Jones Jr., who went undrafted in 2020 out of Notre Dame, is now listed as the No. 2 running back on the Saints depth chart, so his role should increase as the top option behind Kamara. Dwayne Washington is listed third.

Murray isn't the lone name running back the Saints released over the past week, letting go of Devonta Freeman ahead of 53-man roster cuts.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Bet you a dollar he ends up a Raven, they have been scraping the bottom of the barrel in FA running backs.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

This move probably saves a few million.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Not gonna lie. This one hurts. Always liked Latavius. He played hard and well when they needed him to.

Godspeed Mr. Murray.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

After every game thought you should of had more touches

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Even with Le’Veon Bell now on the Ravens roster?

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

bell was signed to practice squad.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

I’m quite certain he’ll be elevated/promoted to the 53 man roster once he becomes familiar with their playbook.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

IG: JosinaAnderson
@JosinaAnderson
Just got off the phone w/ RB Latavius Murray. He told me, "I'm willing to discuss an opportunity with anyone interested in me. At the same time, Baltimore is a team that was impacted by injuries, has a great chance of winning & a great coaching staff. I just want to get to work."

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

shannon sharpe
@ShannonSharpe
·

Saints could’ve asked Latavius Murray to take a pay cut in March. Probably expected he wouldn’t, but would’ve had options in FA. They ask him to take a pay cut 5 days b4 season starts. Thinking his back is against the wall and would say yes. He says no and gets released. #DIRTY

Adam Schefter
@AdamSchefter

Saints are releasing RB Latavius Murray, per source. They asked for a pay reduction yesterday and he refused. Murray is coming off his best season, averaging 4.5 yards per carry and 7.7 yards per catch.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Plays like a professional football player. Wish him well.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Dang, Saints really missed him in the Divisional playoff game. Runs hard, will miss him.

Also pretty excited to see what Tony Jones Jr can do in the #2 role. I know it's just preseason, but he's looked great so far.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Sometimes it’s better to cut a player one year early than later. Tony Jones Jr did look more explosive at camp and in pre season games. It’s a business.

I appreciate the efforts by LTrain though. He was a very good back for New Orleans … even in a limited role.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Yikes, it's a business. Hope it works out for us and Murray both over time. I am a little nervous about losing our power back, but maybe our running game is changing to more of a zone, one-cut style, to fit Kamara and Jones Jr.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Yeah... yeah.. let's get Ozigbo when he gets cut.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Read that him refusing a pay cut had something to do with his being let go.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

That ship has sailed.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

I imagine that you read it in the article in the opening post.

;)

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Funny enough I went right to comments.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

IMO Bell 3 years ago, no. Bell now vs Murray? I think they'd be stupid not to choose LM.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

He (Bell) had a great thing going in Pittsburgh.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Obviously I don’t have the same perspective as an NFL player, especially a star, but I would sacrifice a bit of pride and money to stay with a stellar franchise like the Steelers for as long as I could rather than chase the money and stardom and end up on the Jets like Bell did. Great way to cut a career short.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Cautionary tale for T.J. Watt?

SFIAH

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

My perspective..

Murray is nearing the end of his career, right now he wants to make as much as he can while he can regardless of who that is with.

Family > football.

If any of how this transpired shocked or surprised Murray he needs a new agent. Shannon Sharpe is a drama queen, this is business and the business of the NFL generally involves 6-7 figures meaning most love is shelved until after ink dries. :bng:

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

REAX from AK... who already got his $.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

It's a business. It looks like the Saints tried to force him to take a new contract after cuts and he wasn't having any of that.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

It wouldn"t surprize me if he went to N.E. he fits their mold.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Maybe, but they seem happy with their setup here. Trading Michele happened because they felt they had depth.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Best of luck to him, always believed he deserved more touches, I’m sure he will land on his feet, hopefully not with the sea chickens….I could see him fitting in well there. Just a business

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Not a fan of the move. I like Jones but he's completely unproven from a talent and durabilit NFL back.. Loads up Kamata even more. And I'm afraid it cuts Winston loose to throw it 50 times. Scary.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

I guess we'll never know how much of a pay cut the SAINTS were trying to get out of him, but if he signs for much less than $4M elsewhere, you have to wonder why he wouldn't just take the cut and stay in a familiar place. Maybe he saw the 'Tony Jones' writing on the wall and the inevitability of 3rd string.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Maybe, but if he is calculating on his own he’s also wasting a lot of money on an agent…. Or his agent miscalculated and Murray is only at fault for hiring the agent.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

OWINGS MILLS, Md. -- The Baltimore Ravens reached a one-year agreement with running back Latavius Murray
as they quickly scramble to patch up an injury-ravaged backfield before the regular season begins, a source told ESPN's Adam Schefter on Friday.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

I liked what LM brought to the game but it the grand scheme for the team it cleared money to bring in a #2 CB opposite Lattimore and that is win. Wish him the best where ever he ends up … except Atlanta 🤣

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Pretty what I saw too. It's no secret but RB's historically decline at or around age 30. I didn' see much of the burst at camp/pre season. Jones Jr simply looked and performed better. These coaches know.

I wish Latavius well up in Baltimore though.

Re: Saints release veteran RB Latavius Murray days before season opener vs. Packers, per report
 

Hopefully LM does better in Baltimore than Ingram did.