Former Los Angeles Chargers linebacker Kenneth Murray Jr. Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Titans to sign former first-round pick

Originally posted on Pro Football Rumors | By Ben Levine | Last updated 3/12/24

Kenneth Murray Jr. is staying in the AFC. The free-agent linebacker is signing with the Titans, according to NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo.

Murray has since announced the move via Instagram (h/t Daniel Popper of The Athletic).

It’s a two-year deal worth $15.5M, per Garafolo. The contract can max out at $18M.

Murray was a first-round pick by the Chargers back in 2020. He earned PFWA All-Rookie Team honors after finishing with 107 tackles, but a balky ankle contributed to him having an inconsistent role during his sophomore campaign.

He bounced back a bit in 2022, starting 16 of his 17 appearances. However, he was limited to only 76 tackles, and the Chargers declined his fifth-year option last offseason.

As an impending free agent, Murray showed some of the ability he flashed as a rookie, finishing the 2023 campaign with 107 tackles and a career-high three sacks. While the numbers were up, Pro Football Focus still only ranked Murray 75th among 82 qualifying linebackers.

Despite the inconsistent showing, Murray managed to get a two-year commitment from the Titans.

The team needed some reinforcement after Azeez Al-Shaair left for the Texans on Monday. Al-Shaair finished last season with a team-leading 163 tackles, and the Titans are certainly hoping that Murray can make up for that absence.

This article first appeared on Pro Football Rumors and was syndicated with permission.

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