We’ve been pointing out all season that the Eagles’ ground game runs more effectively when someone other than DeMarco Murray is getting the ball, and on Sunday Chip Kelly finally figured that out.
Murray, the running back who got a five-year, $40 million contract this offseason, was on the field for a season-low 14 offensive snaps on Sunday. Murray finished the game third on the Eagles in rushing, with just 24 yards. Darren Sproles led the team with 66 yards, while Kenjon Barner had 39 yards.
Considering that the Eagles had their best win of the season while Murray spent most of the game on the bench, it’s hard to imagine this was just a one-time thing. And when Ryan Mathews returns from a concussion, Murray should get even less playing time.
Overall this season, Murray has 163 carries for 569 yards, a 3.5-yard average, and four rushing touchdowns. Mathews, Sproles and Barner have combined for 160 carries for 767 yards, a 4.8-yard average, and six rushing touchdowns. Murray just isn’t getting the job done. After Sunday’s game, Murray seemed resigned to the fact that he’s been buried on the depth chart.
“You always want an opportunity to play and obviously run the ball, but we got the big victory so that’s all that matters,” Murray said. “Things we were doing were working so it went well for us.”
Chip Kelly the General Manager made a big mistake giving all that money to Murray, a running back who quite clearly doesn’t fit in the offense run by Chip Kelly the coach. But at least Chip Kelly the coach has finally figured that out. It only took him 13 weeks.
