Tennessee Titans general manager Mike Borgonzi wasted no time placing his fingerprints on the roster he inherited. Borgonzi was officially announced as Titans GM on January 17th. Less than two months later, he traded veteran linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. to the Dallas Cowboys for a late-round pick swap.
Borgonzi had inherited Murray from the previous GM, Ran Carthon. Murray underperformed for the Titans in 2024 while on a two-year, $15.5 million contract. The Titans went in a different direction at linebacker, signing Cody Barton in free agency, and promoting Cedric Gray to the starting lineup.
Gray has been outstanding for the Titans, racking up more than 130 tackles this season. Meanwhile Murray has continued to struggle mightily for the Cowboys throughout 2025. Borgonzi has undeniably been vindicated for moving on from Murray.
Titans GM Mike Borgonzi made excellent decision when trading LB Kenneth Murray Jr.
Murray was especially disastrous throughout the Cowboys' 44-30 loss to the Detroit Lions in Week 14. Murray was his usual liability in pass coverage, and he struggled versus the run as well. That defeat may have prematurely ended the Cowboys' postseason hopes, placing a larger spotlight on the veteran linebacker's lackluster performance.
Pro Football Focus assigned Murray a grade of 31.9 for his unfathomable showing. Cowboys owner Jerry Jones has since publicly discussed having linebacker Logan Wilson enter in the lineup. If that happens, it likely means Murray has been officially benched.
Borgonzi acquired the 188th overall selection in the 2025 NFL Draft in exchange for Murray and the 239th pick. The Titans ended up taking Kalel Mullings with that upgraded pick. Mullings has been injured for the majority of the campaign, but he projects as a core special teamer. Not to mention the Titans shedding Murray's bloated salary (and poor play).
The Murray trade was a win-win for the Titans.