Cowboys' New Linebacker Embracing Leadership Role

The Dallas Cowboys' moves this free agency have featured two distinct characteristics:

They have targeted multiple players who were former first-round NFL Draft picks and who have previous ties to the team or state of Texas.

Trading for Kenneth Murray Jr. follows the pattern.

Murray Jr., a Missouri City, Texas native, watched plenty of Cowboys games growing up. Now he returns to his home state with a chance to make a big impact on the team he grew up watching.

"I'm excited to be here, I love being able to have that star on my helmet," Murray Jr. told DallasCowboys.com."I'm ready to go to work."

Murray Jr. was acquired via a trade with the Tennessee Titans within hours after the Cowboys signed another linebacker in Jack Sanborn from the Chicago Bears.

The linebacker room all of a sudden has multiple new faces, but Murray Jr. is ready to be the guy who leads the charge.

"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."

The Cowboys are in need of some stability in their linebacker core, which explains the urgency shown Wednesday by owner Jerry Jones.

Two pieces in Eric Kendricks (free agent) and DeMarvion Overshown (injury) each have uncertain timetables for return.

Kendricks, however, was recent teammates with Murray Jr. They played together in 2023 on the Los Angeles Chargers before Kendricks signed with Dallas.

"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."

If Kendricks now moves on from Dallas - which is still up in the air - Murray Jr. is ready to be passed the torch.

He credits his physical nature as the trait he best brings to the table for defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus' squad.

"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 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."

As the locker room culture adjusts to the new guys - and cuts ties with those departing - Murray Jr. has his mind on the ultimate goal.

"I'm just trying to come in and be around a bunch of guys who want to win and just win some games."

Dallas executed the trade by sending two late-rounds picks in this year's draft to Tennessee.

Murray Jr.'s leadership was recognized immediately when he joined the Titans. The five year veteran was voted a captain by his peers for his one season with the team.

In 2024, the former Oklahoma standout finished with 95 tackles and a career-high 3.5 sacks.

Now back in his home state, Murray Jr. looks to show his leadership instincts to anchor of the Cowboys' defense.