FRISCO, Texas – A native of Missouri City, Texas, former Titans linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. has returned to his home state to play for the Cowboys and is excited for the opportunity.
"I'm excited to be here, I love being able to have that star on my helmet," Murray Jr. said."I'm ready to go to work."
The Cowboys traded for Murray Jr. on Wednesday, sending a 2025 sixth-round pick (188th overall) to the Titans for Murray Jr. and a 2025 seventh-round pick (239th overall). Dallas is the third team that Murray Jr. will suit up for in his NFL career, and he's looking forward to letting loose on the field.
"I just come to wreak havoc, come to bring my play style, play downhill, fly around to the ball…" Murray Jr. said. "When I'm doing that, it's very special. I'm just trying to come in and be around a bunch of guys who want to win and just win some games."
That kind of play style fits well with what Cowboys defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' is looking to do, which new Cowboys defensive lineman Solomon Thomas categorized as a scheme that turns off the brain and lets the body play.
"Physicality is something that is extremely important in this game," Murray Jr. said. "I think for us it's going to be definitely a staple of what we're about, talking to [Matt Eberflus] and [Dave Borgonzi], everybody around, it's definitely been exciting seeing what we're going to be able to do."
In Dallas, Murray Jr. made it clear that he wants to be the central point for the Cowboys defense at the linebacker spot. He's had some green dot responsibilities in the past and feels that he plays his best when he's the man in the middle.
"I'm looking to be the dude, the guy in the middle running everything and just doing what I do best," Murray Jr. said. "I feel like that's when I'm at my best, when I'm in the middle of everything running the show and just flying around and making plays."
During the 2023 season, Murray Jr. got to learn the ropes about the linebacker position from veteran Eric Kendricks, who led the Cowboys in tackles in 2024 and is currently an unrestricted free agent. The time and lessons that Murray Jr. was able to pull from Kendricks was invaluable, and has helped him along the way in his career.
"Learned a lot from him about the ins and outs of the game, how to be a pro, little intricacies that you only get from guys that have been around for a long time," Murray Jr. said. "He's a hell of a dude."
Kendricks may not return to the Cowboys in 2025, but the Cowboys will have Murray Jr., DeMarvion Overshown, Marist Liufau and new free agent Jack Sanborn amongst others in the fold. The common denominator amongst them all is wanting to get to the football and help win games.
"We got some dudes that can go…" Murray said. "We're just looking to get this thing rolling and just get to flying around to the ball and wreaking havoc."
