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The Arizona Cardinals have been connected to several running backs that could be available this offseason. They continue to come up as a possible, favorite or even likely destination for Adrian Peterson. DeMarco Murray, the 2014 Offensive Player of the Year and rushing champ, has been rumored to be in the mix for Arizona. C.J. Spiller is also a name that has come up.
But local beat writer Kent Somers of the Arizona Republic says otherwise.
He has taken the question a lot from fans and readers. He made it clear: the team isn't interested in DeMarco Murray.
Yes, the Cardinals want to address the running back position. In particular, they want to have a bigger back to complement Andre Ellington -- someone to handle short yardage carries and to take inside carries. They were missing that dimension in 2014 after Jonathan Dwyer was deactivated and then added toe NFI list following his domestic incident that led to his arrest.
Murray does fit the mold at 6-0, 217 pounds, but he is expected to command more than $7 million per season.
Will the Cardinals spend that sort of money on a running back in free agency? Will they pull the trigger on a deal for Adrian Peterson? Or will they look for a back on a cheaper deal like they did for the last two years, signing Rashard Mendenhall and Jonathan Dwyer in consecutive years? Who would that be in this case?