:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/48412147/usa-today-8872305.0.jpg)
Eagles running back DeMarco Murray does not seem to be handling his demotion well. After only getting two rushing attempts during Philadelphia's loss to the Cardinals on Sunday Night Football, Murray reportedly got very angry.
I'm told RB Demarco Murray blew up after game vs Arizona. Obviously unhappy. When walking in #Eagles locker room threw helmet screaming F---
— Howard Eskin (@howardeskin) December 22, 2015
Murray didn't show this emotion to reporters after the game. He told media that he wants to play, but he can't control how the touches are split.
It's understandable why Murray is frustrated. He was the NFL's leading rushing leader last year. He was a star. Now he's been demoted to being a third string running back. Murray can't be happy with how ineffective he's been all season.
It's possible Murray was just upset the Eagles lost, but given the reports of how Murray reportedly talk to Jeffrey Lurie about being unhappy with his role, it seems much more likely he was frustrated with his lack of playing time. That kind of me-first attitude doesn't seem to jibe with Chip Kelly's emphasis on culture. Murray's behavior does line up, however, with a description from a Cowboys source that called him "entitled, selfish, and condescending."
On Monday afternoon, Kelly made it clear the Eagles aren't going to just give Murray carries in order to appease him. "You're just not going to run it for the sake of running it and average two yards a carry and say, ‘Well, at least we ran it enough and everyone got touches,’" Kelly said. "It's not about getting touches; it's about winning and productivity."
The Murray signing continues to be an awful decision by Kelly. It's good that the coach has decided to bench the ineffective player, but it's not so good that the Eagles gave that guy a $40 million contract.
It remains to be seen if Murray has a future with the Eagles beyond this season. He's due so much guaranteed money that cutting him doesn't make sense from a financial perspective, but it's hard to imagine both sides are happy with each other. Murray is already reportedly trying to force his was back to the Cowboys.