Cowboys Poised to Move On From Kenneth Murray Jr. After Defensive Collapse in 2025

The Dallas Cowboys’ 2025 season will be remembered for many things, but none more glaring than the complete collapse of their defense. Week after week, opponents exploited holes, mismatches, and missed assignments, turning what was supposed to be a competitive unit into one of the worst defenses in the NFL. As the franchise prepares for a sweeping overhaul this offseason, one player has emerged as the clearest symbol of those struggles: linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr.

According to Pro Football Focus (PFF), Murray finished the 2025 NFL season ranked 87th out of 89 graded linebackers, placing him among the league’s poorest performers at his position. For a player signed last offseason with the expectation of stabilizing and elevating the Cowboys’ defense, the result was nothing short of disastrous. Now, with free agency approaching, all signs point to Murray’s tenure in Dallas coming to a definitive and permanent end.

A Defense That Hit Rock Bottom

The Cowboys’ defensive numbers in 2025 paint a bleak picture. Dallas finished 32nd in the NFL in points allowed, surrendering more points than any other team. They also ranked 30th in total yards allowed, routinely giving up long drives and explosive plays. The unit struggled at every level — from the defensive line to the secondary — but linebacker play consistently stood out as a major weakness.

The failure was so comprehensive that it cost defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus his job, triggering an active search for a replacement. However, Cowboys leadership has made it clear that coaching changes alone will not fix what went wrong.

In a recent interview on the team’s official website, Cowboys executive vice president Stephen Jones emphasized that personnel decisions are just as critical as schematic ones.

“The guys who fit what we want to be as a defense, the identity that we want to have, that fit with the personnel that we have on the defensive side of the ball because we think we have a lot of good pieces in place,” Jones said. “We know we have to improve not only from a coaching staff standpoint, but we also need to improve from a personnel standpoint.”

That message could not be more clearly directed at the linebacker position — and at Kenneth Murray Jr. specifically.

Linebacker Remains a Lingering Problem

Dallas entered the 2025 season hoping that a mix of youth and veteran experience would stabilize the linebacker corps. DeMarvion Overshown showed flashes of promise after returning from a knee injury, but his extensive injury history makes him an unreliable long-term cornerstone. The Cowboys needed a steady, dependable presence to anchor the unit.

That was supposed to be Kenneth Murray.

Signed as a high-profile free agent, Murray was expected to bring speed, physicality, and leadership to the middle of the defense. Instead, his performance quickly became a liability.

PFF Grades Tell a Brutal Story

Pro Football Focus’ grading system offers one of the most comprehensive evaluations of player performance, and Murray’s results were damning. Across virtually every category, he struggled to meet even baseline expectations.

Against the run, Murray routinely missed tackles and failed to diagnose plays quickly enough to fill gaps. Opposing running backs repeatedly reached the second level untouched, exposing the Cowboys’ front seven. In pass coverage, Murray was frequently targeted on short and intermediate routes, where he often allowed easy completions in the flat or over the middle.

Even as a pass rusher — an area where linebackers can sometimes offset other deficiencies — Murray failed to make an impact. His pressure rate was negligible, and he rarely disrupted quarterbacks or collapsed pockets.

Out of 89 linebackers graded by PFF, only two ranked worse than Murray. For a player signed to elevate the defense, the ranking was a brutal indictment.

League-Wide Consensus: Time to Move On

Inside and outside the organization, the consensus on Murray’s future in Dallas is strikingly clear. On “The One-Star Podcast,” hosted by KT Turner, The Athletic’s Jon Machota discussed the Cowboys’ upcoming free agents and did not hesitate to single Murray out as the lone exception among potential re-signings.

When Turner stated, “I am going to shut the door on Kenneth Murray,” Machota immediately agreed.

“Yes, that’s very fair,” Machota said. “You came up with somebody that the dollar amount would not interest me. Honestly, the first time in my life where, that’s OK.”

Machota went on to explain that while Dallas could justify bringing back most of its free agents at the right price, Murray simply did not belong in that discussion. His lack of production made any financial investment — even at a discount — unjustifiable.

Cowboys Focus on Bigger Priorities

While Murray appears headed for the exit, not all free agents are in danger of being shown the door. The Cowboys have several key players they are actively prioritizing this offseason.

Wide receiver George Pickens is at the top of that list. Pickens enjoyed a career year in 2025, hauling in 1,429 receiving yards and nine touchdowns, leading the team in both categories. He emerged as Dak Prescott’s most reliable target and a cornerstone of the offense. Both sides have expressed interest in a long-term extension, with the franchise tag available as a fallback option.

Running back Javonte Williams also made a strong case for retention, rushing for 1,201 yards, the best season of his career. His physical running style provided balance to the offense and consistency in critical moments.

On defense, Jadeveon Clowney remains a priority as well. Despite entering the season unsigned and missing training camp, Clowney recorded 8.5 sacks in just 13 games, proving he can still disrupt opposing quarterbacks at age 32.

In contrast, Murray’s name rarely comes up in retention discussions — a telling sign of how far his stock has fallen.

A Symbol of What Went Wrong

Kenneth Murray Jr. didn’t just underperform; he became a symbol of the Cowboys’ defensive collapse. Signed to be a stabilizing force, he instead represented the lack of accountability, discipline, and execution that plagued the unit throughout the season.

As Dallas looks to redefine its defensive identity — one centered on speed, aggression, and playmaking — Murray no longer fits the vision.

Final Chapter in Dallas

With free agency set to open soon, the writing is on the wall. The Cowboys are expected to let Murray walk without hesitation, closing the book on a tenure that never lived up to expectations.

For Jerry Jones and Stephen Jones, moving on from Murray is more than a routine roster decision. It’s a message — that mediocrity will not be tolerated and that reputations mean little without performance.

The Cowboys believe they have “a lot of good pieces in place.” Kenneth Murray Jr. is not one of them.

His final snap in a Cowboys uniform has already been played, and as Dallas prepares for a defensive reset, the door behind him is firmly shut.