It’s no wonder DeMarco Murray gets the bulk of the attention in a crowded Philadelphia Eagles backfield. Murray did jump ship from the NFC East rival Dallas Cowboys. Murray was the recipient of $21 million guaranteed on his brand new free-agent contract. Murray is, after all, the NFL’s reigning rushing champion.
Yet a question that might be worth asking whether Murray is even the most talented in a crowded Eagles backfield. Ryan Mathews’ signing may have been met with far less fanfare, but the sixth-year veteran is no slouch himself.
Mathews was the 12th-overall selection in the 2010 draft, which certainly speaks to his natural ability. Mathews is a decorated athlete, garnering an invitation to the Pro Bowl in 2011. Mathews has flat out produced, twice rushing for over 1,000 yards as a member of the San Diego Chargers.
If we were to simply compare their two careers side by side, Murray has Mathews beat in almost every meaningful metric. However, contracts and accolades aside, a case can be made Mathews isn’t in Philadelphia merely to serve as Murray’s backup.
The two might be closer to equals than many realize.
Because numbers aside, people tend to forget Mathews is a rare talent, too. That’s largely because the 28-year-old has had trouble staying healthy, only once suiting up for all 16 games in a season as a professional, and perhaps also in small part due to the fact he’s never rushed for 1,845 yards in one season, either, as Murray did in 2014.
Don’t take my word for it, though. Eagles head coach Chip Kelly is the person who sees in Mathews attributes that set him apart from the typical NFL ball-carrier.
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“The difference between Ryan and a lot of backs, and the reason he was a first-round draft pick, is that a lot of guys that are that size don't have that homerun speed,” Kelly said on Thursday.
“He ran a 4.37 at the combine,” Kelly continued. “I think that's a big explosive body at 230 pounds that can run that fast. It's kind of a unique combination to have. There are not that many guys that are that big and are that fast.
By comparison, Murray was clocked at 4.41 seconds in the 40-yard dash at his combine and currently lists at 217 pounds. The differences are subtle, but measureable. In these respects, limited as they admittedly are, it appears Mathews is the superior athlete.
Money and body of work still suggest Murray likely serves as the primary back in the Eagles’ offense. And yet even back in March, shortly after both backs signed as free agents, Kelly hinted at more of an even split between his prize bellcow and Mathews.
“I would hope DeMarco does not have to carry the ball 392 times this year [as he did in Dallas in 2014]," Kelly said. "If he does, then we’re running it 692 times.”
That quote would seem to indicate there are roughly 300 carries leftover to split between Mathews and Darren Sproles, the latter of whom is strictly a change-of-pace back that ran only 57 times last season. That might imply Mathews could see somewhere in the neighborhood of 250 attempts in 2015.
To put that figure in perspective, LeSean McCoy carried the football 312 and 314 the past two seasons under Kelly’s directive. In other words, Mathews could come close to see a starter’s workload, even presuming Murray is in good health.
And so far, Murray has not been healthy. Oh, sure, there’s been nothing major to speak of—one missed practice because of a hydration issues, another due to illness. Of course, Murray is also recorded the sixth-most touches in NFL history last season, which leads some to believe he’s more susceptible to break down this season.
Whether that’s true or not, one thing that seems clear is Mathews is more than an insurance policy. He will and should be a focal point in the Eagles’ offense.