While the Oakland Raiders ownership is currently dealing with where the team is going to play in the future, the front office is trying to put a winning product on the field for next season and get the Raiders back to the postseason.
Their first area of business was the coaching staff, as they recently gave head coach Jack Del Rio a four-year extension in addition to making some other changes within the staff.
The focus now shifts to the roster, with free agency just around the corner in March. Signing quarterback Derek Carr to an extension has to be atop the to-do list, as the two-time Pro Bowler developed into an MVP candidate in 2016.
Figuring out the running back situation is also something general manager Reggie McKenzie will surely address, as the Raiders had three capable running backs in 2016.
Latavius Murray served as the starter, and had another strong season, while rookies Jalen Richard and DeAndre Washington served as change-of-pace backs off the bench.
Murray is set to hit free agency this March, and Vic Tafur of the San Francisco Chronicle does not believe that the Raiders will re-sign him:
Been on record for a while saying I don’t expect him back https://t.co/k2t9NFUVoZ
— Vic Tafur (@VicTafur) February 13, 2017
NFL News also recently reported that Murray will not be returning to Oakland:
REPORT: The Raiders will NOT re-sign RB Latavius Murray
— NFL NEWS (@NFLNews) February 13, 2017
Murray has played three seasons with the Raiders after being selected in sixth round of the 2013 draft out of Central Florida. He was named a Pro Bowler in 2015 when he rushed for 1,066 yards and six touchdowns while averaging 4.0 yards per carry.
He missed two games in 2016, but still rushed for 788 yards and 12 touchdowns while again averaging 4.0 yards per attempt.
If the Raiders do in fact not intend to re-sign Murray, Washington and Richard will likely head into Training Camp battling for the starting job. Oakland could also draft another running back, although they have vocalized many times how fond they are of both Washington and Richard.