After a disappointing 2024, the Tennessee Titans could release linebacker Kenneth Murray before the start of the league year. A first-round pick in the 2020 NFL Draft, the Oklahoma product struggled during his early years with the Los Angeles Chargers, forcing former head coach Brandon Staley to decline his fifth-year option prior to 2023. He had an adequate final year with the Chargers, and Tennessee bet on him building on his breakout season.
Unfortunately, that didn’t happen. Kenneth Murray finished the 2024 season with a 45.9 PFF grade, the 82nd-best mark out of 84 eligible players. Now set to carry a $10.16 million cap hit, Kyle Dvorchak of NBC Sports believes the Titans could release Kenneth Murray and use the $7.7 million in cap savings to help rebuild a flawed roster.
“PFF ranked Murray just short of dead last among linebackers last year and he is expected to be out 4-6 months while recovering from wrist surgery. A holdover from the previous regime with just $2.5 million in dead cap, Murray will be playing for a new team next year.”
Tennessee Titans Could Release Kenneth Murray – 3 Landing Spots Emerge
Kenneth Murray will never justify his first-round draft capital, but the Oklahoma product should find a new home once the Titans release him. While he probably won’t earn a starting job, he could be a valuable role player for the following three organizations.
Next Teams
Los Angeles Chargers
Kenneth Murray came into the league with the Los Angeles Chargers, but he never played under current head coach Jim Harbaugh. Harbaugh is an old-school mind who loves to win games with strong defense and a focus on stopping the run. While Murray’s first stint with Los Angeles left something to be desired, he could revive his career with a better coach. Harbaugh excels at getting the best out of his players, and this team could use someone to pair with former third-round pick Daiyan Henley. Seeing as he probably won’t cost much more than league minimum, Los Angeles should kick the tires on an old friend.
Carolina Panthers
The Carolina Panthers need all the defensive help they can get, especially since linebacker Shaq Thompson will not return in 2025. Head coach Dave Canales and General Manager Dan Morgan did a remarkable job of rebuilding Carolina’s offense during the 2024 season, but they did it at the expense of the defense. Now, it’s time for them to address the other side of the ball and put a competent unit on the field. If they can find that same success, then perhaps the Panthers can compete in a relatively weak NFC South.
Baltimore Ravens
No team relies on linebackers more than the Baltimore Ravens. After losing Patrick Queen to the Pittsburgh Steelers, Baltimore believed that former third-round pick Trenton Simpson could step up and start alongside star Roquan Smith. While Simpson played well, it’s clear that he’s not quite up to the task of replacing Queen. Kenneth Murray isn’t nearly as good as his fellow 2020 classmate, but the former first-round pick could help out in a depth role. Much like his brother, John Harbaugh knows how to get the best out of his players, so perhaps Murray can salvage his career in a new environment.
Main Photo: Amber Searls – Imagn Images
