DeMarco Murray called Chip Kelly because he's interested in joining the Eagles

All along ESPN NFL Insider Adam Caplan has been reporting that the Eagles interest in free agent running back DeMarco Murray is mutual. It doesn't seem like he was joking.

According to Chris Mortensen, the 27-year-old rusher actually called Chip Kelly to let the coach know he wants to play for the Birds.

"DeMarco Murray renewed Eagles' interest w personal call to Chip Kelly; not just spread offense ran at Oklahoma; Sam Bradford's roommate, too. Murray's obstacle with the Eagles would remain obvious; as Kelly noted in press conference, he's not going to overpay anyone."

As Mortensen notes, Murray might have some extra interest in joining the Eagles now that his former University of Oklahoma teammate, Sam Bradford, is expected to be Philadelphia's quarterback in 2015.

Earlier on Wednesday, Peter Schrager of FOX Sports reported that the Eagles are "very much" in play for Murray's services. He also mentioned that Murray could potentially be picking between the Eagles and the Cowboys. Murray was a key part of the success Dallas had last year but it seems teams are leery of the big workload Murray carried in 2014.

The Eagles have a need at running back ever since they traded LeSean McCoy last week. Philadelphia signed Ryan Mathews on Wednesday but that apparently won't stop the Eagles from trying to acquire Murray.

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UPDATE: Apparently the Eagles are Murray's top choice.

DeMarco Murray top choice is #Eagles. The #Raiders & #Jaguars trail. NFL source doesn't believe Jacksonville has or will offer a big deal.

— Charles Robinson (@CharlesRobinson) March 11, 2015