The New Orleans Saints have released veteran runner Latavius Murray, the team announced Tuesday.
On Monday, the Saints asked Murray to reduce his salary and he refused, sources told ESPN’s Adam Schefter.
Murray, 31, was to earn $ 3.15 million in salaries and bonuses this season. This, combined with the appearance of Tony Jones Jr., an unwritten sophomore runner, led to the Saints ’decision.
Murray had been an excellent running mate for Saints star Alvin Kamara for the past two seasons after signing a four-year, $ 14.4 million contract in 2019. Murray totaled 1,293 running yards. , 411 yards received and 11 touchdowns in those two seasons.
Murray was especially valuable when Kamara missed two games with injuries in 2019, winning at least 150 yards from the fight with two touchdowns in each game as a total backhand.
The 6-foot 3 and 230-pounder began his career with the Raiders and Vikings, becoming the Pro Bowl in 2015. He has 4,991 running yards, 1,294 receiving yards and 45 touchdowns in his seven-year career.
Murray initially survived the Saints’ cuts this offseason, when the team had to cut more than $ 110 million to adjust to the NFL’s reduced salary cap number. But he seemed to lag behind Jones in order to sting as the training camp and preseason continued. The Saints also signed veteran runner Devonta Freeman during camp, though he didn’t make the 53-man roster.
Jones (5-11, 225) appeared in a single game for the Saints last season as an unwritten rookie for Notre Dame, with three 13-yard gates. But he led the team with 106 running yards and a TD in two preseason games, plus six catches for 42 yards.
The Saints also have options on the backfield with veterans Dwayne Washington, who plays mostly special teams, and Ty Montgomery, who primarily plays as a receiver.
New Orleans officially announced the signing of veteran cornerback Desmond Trufant in a corresponding play on Tuesday.