[brid autoplay=”true” video=”858053″ player=”23231″ title=”10%20bold%20predictions%20for%202021%20NFL%20season” duration=”223″ description=”The 2021 NFL season is slated to get started Thursday when Tom Brady and the reigning champion Tampa Bay Buccaneers host the Dallas Cowboys. Both teams hope to be in the championship conversation in 2021. For Dallas, that will have to include Dak Prescott remaining healthy.Another season that will certainly be defined somewhat by the pandemic also includes a number of young players set to make their marks. This includes second-year quarterback Justin Herbert and Joe Burrow attempting to take that next step. These are among the individuals and teams we look at in giving you our 10 bold predictions for the 2021 NFL season.” uploaddate=”2021-09-06″ thumbnailurl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/thumb/858053_t_1630956328.png” contentUrl=”//cdn.brid.tv/live/partners/17660/sd/858053.mp4″]
Veteran running back Latavius Murray has been among the most-underrated players at his position in the NFL over the past six seasons or so.
Over the course of the past two years with the New Orleans Saints, Murray recorded 1,704 total yards and 11 touchdowns at a clip of roughly five yards per touch as Alvin Kamara’s primary backup.
That’s why it is so surprising that the Saints have reportedly opted to release Murray with just a few days to go before their season opener against the Green Bay Packers.
According to ESPN’s Adam Schefter, the decision to release Murray came after he refused a pay cut earlier in the week. The veteran was due a $2.95 million base salary in 2021.
Latavius Murray now hits the NFL free agent market
A Pro Bowl performer with the Raiders back in 2015, the 31-year-old Murray is seen as a dual-threat option out of the backfield. Throughout his career, he’s caught 185 passes while hauling in 80.1% of his targets. Last season with the Saints, Murray caught 23-of-26 targets while averaging a robust 4.5 yards per carry.
Obviously, multiple teams will be interested in the veteran back. Immediately, attention turned to the Baltimore Ravens as a real option. Just recently, they lost J.K. Dobbins and Justice Hill for the season to injuries.
What are the New Orleans Saints doing?
Dwayne Washington and Tony Jones Jr. will now split time behind Kamara in the Saints’ backfield. It’s a less-than-ideal situation given that Kamara has yet to shoulder the load in the run game during his four-year stint in New Orleans. In fact, he’s averaging 11.2 rush attempts per game during that span.
All of this comes with Jameis Winston slated to replace Drew Brees under center and with star wide receiver Michael Thomas sidelined to injury. It’s going to be interesting to see what the Saints look like when they open their season against Green Bay.
For now, the decision to release Latavius Murray is rather shocking.