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Dallas Cowboys still haven't solved DeMarco Murray conundrum

Frank Schwab
·NFL writer

INDIANAPOLIS – The question for the Dallas Cowboys isn’t whether they like DeMarco Murray or appreciate what he has done for them.

Clearly they do. Murray had a tremendous 2014 season, making the All-Pro team. His 1,845 rushing yards were almost 500 more than any other back. The Cowboys built their team around Murray and a tremendous offensive line, and they won the NFC East. That's the identity of their team right now.

“The value of being able to hand the ball to someone 25 times a game week in and week out is significant,” Cowboys coach Jason Garrett said.

That’s not the question though. It’s a math issue. Does Murray’s value to the team, versus what a replacement back would provide, match what the Cowboys would have to pay him? Murray can become a free agent on March 10. The Cowboys have to figure it out before then, or potentially lose a player who was arguably their MVP this season. Murray got two of 50 NFL MVP votes. He was named NFL offensive player of the year.

Murray just plays the wrong position. Running backs have shorter careers and in a predominantly passing league, they don’t have the impact they once did. Cowboys receiver Dez Bryant can also become a free agent on March 10, but that won't happen. It would be a huge surprise if the Cowboys didn’t slap the franchise tag on Bryant to prevent him from hitting the market. But Murray? Well, that’s complicated.

“Certainly Dez and DeMarco are cornerstone players for our football team,” They’ve been great players for us up to this point in their careers. They had great years last year.”

But ….

“The business of the NFL is real though,” Garrett said. “And we have to work through that. But both of those guys know very strongly how much we care for them, how much we appreciate what they’ve done for us and how much we want them on our football team going forward.”

Remembering that Bryant is almost a lock to return to the Cowboys, whether it’s by the franchise tag or a long-term extension (if Bryant signs before the franchise tag deadline, the tag for Murray would be about $10.9 million, if your were curious), it seemed like a thank you note to Murray in case he doesn’t return. Murray might be the NFL offensive player of the year, but his monetary value in the current market doesn’t match that status.

Garrett didn’t say that. He talked about business and finances but made sure he pointed out how valuable Murray was to the Cowboys, especially last year when the Cowboys handed him the ball 392 times in the regular season and 44 more times in two playoff games.

"His impact was huge for our team," Garrett said.

But …

“Again, there’s a business of the NFL that we all understand,” Garrett said. “I know both sides are talking, we’re trying to get it done, and understand every decision we make is in the best interest of the Dallas Cowboys. We feel like DeMarco Murray has done a great job for our football team and we’d love to have him back.”

Something could get done between Murray and the Cowboys, maybe even after free agency starts. Unlike if Bryant or a defensive standout like Darrelle Revis or Ndamukong Suh hit the open market, it seems unlikely any team is going to give Murray a fortune. That's just not what happens with running backs anymore. His best option might be to return to the Cowboys even if it’s not for a contract that you’d expect for an NFL All-Pro.

Murray is a great player, he just plays the wrong position at the wrong point in time. And the Cowboys have decisions to make.

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Frank Schwab is the editor of Shutdown Corner on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at shutdowncorner@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!