The Facts: With just over two weeks until he is set to become a free agent for the second time in his six-year career, Murray’s future and the type of role he’ll get to play on the Vikings, or elsewhere, is in question. While the running back has expressed a desire to return to Minnesota, he is not ready to give up on a starting job. “I want everybody to know -- make no mistake about it, I want to play,” Murray said this offseason. “I want to start. I’m not content with being in a backup role, but I want to compete, and Dalvin knows that. We push each other. That’s what it’s about. But I would love to be back here for that opportunity to compete with and against them. That’s the only way you get better.”

Diehards Line:The Vikings restructured Murray’s contract before $5.15 million of his 2018 salary would have become guaranteed last March 16. If they didn’t get a deal worked out before then, Murray was expected to become a cap casualty. The efforts made to keep the veteran running back in Minnesota for a second season provided the Vikings with much-needed stability in the backfield as Dalvin Cook rehabbed from the ACL injury he sustained during his 2017 rookie season. That foresight paid off when a hamstring injury kept Cook sidelined for all but one half of action from Weeks 3-8 last season. As a result of that injury, Murray played the third-highest amount of snaps in his career in 2018 (43.9 percent) and compiled 578 yards and six touchdowns on 140 carries last season. Despite his position as a between-the-tackles rusher, Murray was used (albeit still sparingly) in the passing game, where he totaled 141 yards on 22 receptions in 2018. With a healthy Cook ready for Year 3, it makes sense for the Vikings to move on from Murray and give him the chance to carve out a bigger role elsewhere. While there aren’t many lead running back roles up for grabs across the NFL, a few teams have fairly obvious needs in the backfield that could allow Murray to earn more money and playing time.