Getty Images

During and after last year’s failed experiment in Philadelphia, rumors and reports persisted that running back DeMarco Murray wanted to return to the Cowboys.

Murray himself now makes it clear how close those rumors and reports were to coming to fruition.

“It was like 95 percent sure I was going to come back there,” Murray told Charean Williams of the Fort Worth Star-Telegram. “I have a lot of respect for those guys. . . . I still consider them a great franchise, and they’re great friends of mine.”

On various occasions over the years, applying a 95-percent certainty to a potential NFL development means it will never happen. That’s exactly what happened for Murray, who was traded to the Titans.

“I was very close to going back there,” Murray said. “There were some things that fell through and just didn’t happen. I think everything happens for a reason. I’m here, and I’m supposed to be here. They’ve got a pretty good young back over there [in Dallas] as well.”

Of course, the Cowboys wouldn’t have used the fourth overall pick on Ezekiel Elliott if they’d brought Murray back to Dallas. Which would have reshuffled the deck in round one of the draft, and possibly beyond.

Regardless of where Murray ended up, he made it clear to the Eagles that he wanted out of Philadelphia.

“My heart just wasn’t there,” Murray said. “I felt it was a situation where I needed a fresh start, and I was granted that by Howie [Roseman] and Jeffery [Lurie], who is a great guy. Really good people. I was fortunate to have that relationship with them, so I could tell them, ‘This is where it is. I think it would be best for both sides if I find a new home.'”

Murray thought his new home would be his old home. Instead, he has gotten yet another new home — and it’s gone well so far, with 461 rushing yards in five games, and an average of 5.0 yards per carry.