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Kenneth Murray

2024 NFL Fifth-Year Option Tracker

May 1st, 2023 at 9:55pm CST by Sam Robinson

NFL teams have until May 2 to officially pick up fifth-year options on 2020 first-rounders who are entering the final year of their rookie deals. The 2020 CBA revamped the option structure and made them fully guaranteed, rather than guaranteed for injury only. Meanwhile, fifth-year option salaries are now determined by a blend of the player’s position, initial draft placement and performance- and usage-based benchmarks:

  • Two-time Pro Bowlers (excluding alternate Pro Bowlers) will earn the same as their position’s franchise tag.
  • One-time Pro Bowlers will earn the equivalent of the transition tag.
  • Players who achieve any of the following will get the average of the third-20th highest salaries at their position:
    • At least a 75% snap rate in two of their first three seasons
    • A 75% snap average across all three seasons
    • At least 50% in each of first three seasons
  • Players who do not hit any of those benchmarks will receive the average of the third-25th top salaries at their position.

With the deadline looming, we’ll use the space below to track all the option decisions from around the league:

  1. QB Joe Burrow, Bengals ($29.5MM): Exercised
  2. DE Chase Young, Commanders ($17.45MM): Declined
  3. CB Jeff Okudah, Falcons* ($11.51MM): N/A
  4. T Andrew Thomas, Giants ($14.18MM): Exercised
  5. QB Tua Tagovailoa, Dolphins ($23.2MM): Exercised
  6. QB Justin Herbert, Chargers ($29.5MM): Exercised
  7. DT Derrick Brown, Panthers ($11.67MM): Exercised 
  8. LB Isaiah Simmons, Cardinals ($12.72MM): Declined
  9. CB C.J. Henderson, Jaguars** ($11.51MM): Declined
  10. T Jedrick Wills, Browns ($14.18MM): Exercised
  11. T Mekhi Becton, Jets ($12.57MM): Declined
  12. WR Henry Ruggs, Raiders: N/A
  13. T Tristan Wirfs, Buccaneers ($18.24MM): Exercised
  14. DT Javon Kinlaw, 49ers ($10.46MM): Declined
  15. WR Jerry Jeudy, Broncos ($14.12MM): Exercised
  16. CB AJ Terrell, Falcons ($12.34MM): Exercised
  17. WR CeeDee Lamb, Cowboys ($17.99MM): Exercised
  18. OL Austin Jackson, Dolphins ($14.18MM): Declined
  19. CB Damon Arnette, Raiders: N/A
  20. DE K’Lavon Chaisson, Jaguars ($12.14MM): Declined
  21. WR Jalen Reagor, Vikings*** ($12.99MM): To decline
  22. WR Justin Jefferson, Vikings ($19.74MM): Exercised
  23. LB Kenneth Murray, Chargers ($11.73MM): Declined
  24. G Cesar Ruiz, Saints ($14.18MM): Declined
  25. WR Brandon Aiyuk, 49ers ($14.12MM): Exercised
  26. QB Jordan Love, Packers ($20.27MM): Extended through 2024
  27. LB Jordyn Brooks, Seahawks ($12.72MM): Declined
  28. LB Patrick Queen, Ravens ($12.72MM): Declined
  29. T Isaiah Wilson, Titans: N/A
  30. CB Noah Igbinoghene, Dolphins ($11.51MM): Declined
  31. CB Jeff Gladney, Vikings: N/A
  32. RB Clyde Edwards-Helaire, Chiefs ($5.46MM): To decline

* = Lions traded Okudah on April 11, 2023
** = Jaguars traded Henderson on Sept. 27, 2021
*** = Eagles traded Reagor on August 31, 2022

Chargers Won’t Pick Up LB Kenneth Murray’s Fifth-Year Option

April 29th, 2023 at 9:03am CST by Ben Levine

The Chargers are set to pick up Justin Herbert‘s fifth-year option, but another one of their 2020 first-round picks will now be entering a contract year. Chargers general manager Tom Telesco told reporters that the organization won’t be picking up linebacker Kenneth Murray‘s fifth-year option.

[RELATED: Chargers To Pick Up Justin Herbert’s Fifth-Year Option]

The announcement came on the heels of the team’s selection of Washington State linebacker Daiyan Henley in the third round of last night’s draft. However, Telesco made it clear that the draft pick and Murray’s fifth-year option were unrelated, and he indicated that the front office could explore a new deal with Murray after the 2023 season.

“No, those are kind of two completely separate things,” the GM said (video via the team’s website). “Kenny is doing a great job for us … [The decision was] more salary-cap related, down the road. But we’ll talk when the season’s over.”

Telesco could be sincere when it comes to the financial restrictions of Murray’s fifth-year option. The cash-strapped Chargers would have had to commit $12.7MM to the linebacker, a move that would have made Murray the eighth highest-paid player at his position. Still, the decision has to come as a disappointment to the 24-year-old. Before Murray, Telesco has picked up seven of the last eight Chargers’ fifth-year options, but following a rebound 2022 campaign, the linebacker will now be playing for his next contract in 2023.

Murray had a strong rookie campaign, earning PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after compiling 107 tackles in 16 starts. He started the first three games of the 2021 season before suffering an ankle injury during practice, landing him on injured reserve. After sitting out five games, Murray returned and saw a reduced role on defense, starting only three of his team’s final nine games. The linebacker finished his sophomore season with only 31 tackles, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 83rd among 87 qualifying linebackers.

He managed to rebound a bit this past year, finishing with 76 tackles and a career-high seven tackles for loss in 17 games (16 starts). Murray only graded out as Pro Football Focus’ 73rd-ranked linebacker among 81 qualifiers, but the site did give him solid marks for his pass-rush ability and coverage.

With Kyzir White and Drue Tranquill out the door, the Chargers will continue to rely on Murray. The team added inside linebacker Eric Kendricks this offseason, and the veteran should start alongside Murray, with Henley likely having the edge as the top backup in that grouping. Telesco said the team’s second-round pick Tuli Tuipulotu profiles as more of an edge defender.

Minor NFL Transactions: 7/26/22

July 26th, 2022 at 7:56pm CST by Ben Levine

Today’s minor NFL transactions, including a handful of notable names landing on the physically unable to perform list and the non-football injury list as teams open up camp:

Arizona Cardinals

Chicago Bears

Cleveland Browns

Denver Broncos

Green Bay Packers

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Miami Dolphins

  • Released with NFI designation: WR Cody Core

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Washington Commanders

Chargers LB Kenneth Murray Jr. Had Offseason Surgery

June 22nd, 2022 at 7:51pm CST by Ben Levine

Kenneth Murray Jr. missed a chunk of games last season due to an ankle injury, and that injury ultimately required surgery. According to ESPN’s Lindsey Thiry, the linebacker underwent offseason surgery on his ankle. Murray is expected to be back at full health by the time training camp comes around.

Murray was a first-round pick by the Chargers in 2020, and he earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after collecting 107 tackles and one sack in 16 starts. He started the first three games of the 2021 season before suffering an ankle injury during practice, landing him on injured reserve.

After sitting out five games, Murray returned and saw a reduced role on defense, starting only three of his team’s final nine games. The linebacker finished his sophomore season with only 31 tackles, with Pro Football Focus ranking him 83rd among 87 eligible linebackers.

While offseason surgery presumably limited his offseason routine, Murray will still have a chance to restart with a clean bill of health in 2022. The 23-year-old defender is expected to start at inside linebacker. If he is forced to miss any time during training camp, the likes of Drue Tranquill, Troy Reeder, and Amen Ogbongbemiga will see some extra reps.

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 1/3/22

January 3rd, 2022 at 8:56pm CST by Ely Allen

Here are Monday’s activations from and placements on the reserve/COVID-19 lists:

Carolina Panthers

Chicago Bears

Cincinnati Bengals

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Kansas City Chiefs

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: OT Mike Remmers (remains on IR)

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

  • Activated from reserve/COVID-19 list: RB Raymond Calais (remains on IR)

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

San Francisco 49ers

Seattle Seahawks

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

NFL COVID-19 List Updates: 12/29/21

December 29th, 2021 at 3:19pm CST by Sam Robinson

Several key players returned to practice Wednesday. Here are the latest COVID-19 updates from around the league:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Baltimore Ravens

Buffalo Bills

Carolina Panthers

Cincinnati Bengals

Cleveland Browns

Dallas Cowboys

Denver Broncos

Detroit Lions

Green Bay Packers

Houston Texans

Indianapolis Colts

Jacksonville Jaguars

Kansas City Chiefs

Las Vegas Raiders

Los Angeles Chargers

Los Angeles Rams

Miami Dolphins

Minnesota Vikings

New England Patriots

New Orleans Saints

New York Giants

New York Jets

Philadelphia Eagles

Pittsburgh Steelers

  • Activated from practice squad/COVID-19 list: WR Rico Bussey

Seattle Seahawks

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

Tennessee Titans

Washington Football Team

Chargers Activate LB Kenneth Murray

November 13th, 2021 at 3:37pm CST by Sam Robinson

The Chargers are on track to have one of their top defenders in uniform Sunday. Kenneth Murray is off IR and back on the Bolts’ active roster.

Sidelined with an ankle injury since Week 3, Murray returned to practice and will be in line to help a Chargers defense that ranks last against the run. The Bolts traded up for Murray in the 2020 first round and moved him into their starting lineup early last season. While he experienced developmental hiccups, the Oklahoma product registered 107 tackles. He has 19 through three games this year.

Chargers HC Brandon Staley also said the team is planning to use Murray on the edge as well as on the inside, via the Los Angeles Times’ Jeff Miller. Joey Bosa leads Chargers edge players with 4.5 sacks, but first-year starter Uchenna Nwosu has just one in seven starts.

Ahead of their Week 10 game against the Vikings, the Chargers also promoted linebacker Cole Christiansen, wide receiver Maurice Ffrench and cornerback Kiondre Thomas from their practice squad.

Minor NFL Transactions: 10/4/21

October 4th, 2021 at 11:20am CST by Zachary Links

We’ll keep track of today’s minor moves here:

Arizona Cardinals

Atlanta Falcons

Carolina Panthers

Indianapolis Colts

Los Angeles Chargers

Minnesota Vikings

Seattle Seahawks

Washington Football Team

Chargers Sign Justin Herbert, Wrap Draft Class

July 26th, 2020 at 11:05am CST by Zachary Links

The Chargers have wrapped up their 2020 NFL Draft class, per a club announcement. Quarterback Justin Herbert was the first reported signing, and the rest of the crop followed soon after. The full rundown, per our tracker:

1-6: Justin Herbert, QB (Oregon): Signed
1-23: Kenneth Murray, LB (Oklahoma): Signed
4-112: Joshua Kelley, RB (UCLA): Signed
5-151: Joe Reed, WR (Virginia): Signed
6-186: Alohi Gilman, S (Notre Dame): Signed
7-220: K.J. Hill, WR (Ohio State): Signed

Herbert was a polarizing prospect. Those that are high on the Oregon product believe that his elite arm strength will allow him to succeed as a starter. Others are concerned about his pension for holding on to the ball for too long. The debate between Herbert and Tua Tagovailoa was fierce, but, ultimately, the Dolphins made the decision for the Chargers by selecting the Alabama star No. 5 overall. At No. 6, GM Tom Telesco said that he would have been perfectly happy with either passer.

Herbert will have the unenviable task of eventually stepping into Philip Rivers’ shoes. For now, the 6’6″ rookie will likely begin the year as the QB2 behind Tyrod Taylor.

Broncos Tried To Trade Back Into Round 1

April 24th, 2020 at 11:43am CST by Zachary Links

The Broncos were among the clubs trying to get back into the first round, Tom Pelissero of NFL.com (on Twitter) hears. Their target, according to Mike Klis of 9News, was LSU linebacker Patrick Queen.

The Broncos got their wish at No. 15, landing Alabama’s Jerry Jeudy, their top-ranked receiver. Had Jeudy not been available, they would have looked to trade back for either Queen or fellow ‘backer Kenneth Murray. After landing Jeudy, they tried to get back into the first round for Queen – instead, he went to the Ravens.

Elway wasn’t so sure that he’d be able to get Jeudy at No. 15, but he was pleasantly surprised with how everything turned out.

“It was probably less than 50 percent,” Elway said. “I think that when you look at it he was there a couple of times. We really kind of worked off our mocks with him not being there, and in the situation he wasn’t there, which direction would we go. It was a lot less than 50 percent and that’s why when he was there, we were thrilled that he was there.”

With four picks on Day 2, the Broncos have plenty of ammo if they want to move up for another linebacker. They could also use that artillery to address remaining needs, including cornerback and center. For now, the Broncos’ Day 2 party starts in the second round at No. 46 overall. After that, they have a trio of third-round picks – Nos. 77, 83, and 95.

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