After a tough loss to the Lions, the Dallas Cowboys are facing some serious questions at linebacker - and a lot of those questions are aimed squarely at Kenneth Murray.
Murray had a rough outing, no way around it. His struggles in both run defense and pass coverage were glaring, and the numbers backed it up - a 31.9 grade from Pro Football Focus is about as low as it gets for a starting linebacker.
But the eye test was just as damning. He went viral for all the wrong reasons after Jahmyr Gibbs left him grasping at air in the open field, and later, he took a poor angle on a David Montgomery touchdown run that had fans groaning across Cowboys Nation.
Now, let’s be clear: the Cowboys didn’t lose that game just because of Murray. Turnovers and missed opportunities played their part. But his performance was a tipping point - a moment that’s sparked a larger conversation about the linebacker rotation.
And that conversation reached the front office. On his weekly radio appearance on 105.3 The Fan, Cowboys owner Jerry Jones was asked about the heat Murray’s been taking online. Instead of defending the former first-rounder, Jones pivoted - and mentioned Logan Wilson.
“Well, we brought in Logan, and I'm sure you'll see more of Logan than you might've seen the other day... The main thing is that we do have some alternatives there,” Jones said.
That’s not exactly a ringing endorsement of Murray. In fact, it says a lot that Jones didn’t even mention him by name in his response. He went straight to Wilson - a linebacker the Cowboys acquired for exactly this kind of situation.
And here’s the thing: Wilson’s been available. He’s been healthy.
He even led the linebacker group in snaps against the Raiders not long ago, a sign that the coaching staff - led by defensive coordinator Matt Eberflus - was ready to lean on him. But then came the Lions game, and Murray was back to getting more snaps, despite Wilson's proven track record as a reliable tackler and run defender.
That decision raised eyebrows, especially considering Wilson’s resume. He was the Bengals’ leading tackler for multiple seasons and brings a steady presence that this defense could really use right now - especially with the Cowboys facing a gauntlet of offenses in the final stretch of the season.
Pairing Wilson with DeMarvion Overshown could be the move that stabilizes this linebacker unit. Overshown brings speed and range, Wilson brings consistency and physicality. That combination gives Dallas a more balanced look - and one that can better handle the kinds of dynamic backs that have given them fits lately.
And it’s not just the Lions game. Murray posted a 29.0 grade against the Chiefs, another game where his run defense was a clear liability. That’s two straight weeks of sub-30 grades from PFF - not the kind of production you can afford to keep rolling with when playoff positioning is on the line.
To be fair, the Cowboys aren’t in a position to completely bench Murray. The linebacker room isn’t exactly overflowing with depth.
But the path forward is clear: Logan Wilson needs more snaps. He was brought in for a reason, and it’s time to let him do what he does best - tackle, cover, and bring some stability to the middle of the field.
With four games left and the Vikings up next, Dallas has a chance to recalibrate. The postseason is within reach, but the margin for error is shrinking. If the Cowboys want to make a real run, they’ll need their best players on the field - and right now, Logan Wilson looks like one of them.