Many LA Chargers fans played the game of "I told you so!" after Kenneth Murray's debut for the Dallas Cowboys in the first game of the 2025 NFL season. This Chargers fan was certainly one of them.
Murray seemingly heard all of the criticism, both from fans of his former teams and his current team, and parlayed it into a strong performance in Week 2 against the New York Giants. The Cowboys' defense as a whole may have struggled against Russell Wilson, but Murray did not.
The former Chargers linebacker finished with five defensive stops, which was the most on the entire Cowboys' defense. He was much better in stopping the run, and was key to slowing down Cam Skattebo in key moments. All in all, the Cowboys may not have won that game without Murray's efforts.
Cowboys fans should still be cautious in trusting Kenneth Murray
Murray may have made Chargers fans eat crow after they dunked on his Week 1 performance on primetime but that does not mean anything for the long-term prospects of his season. Chargers fans have seen this same song and dance before, and it's imperative for Cowboys fans to avoid falling in the same trap.
Murray had good games with the Chargers too. And when Murray he genuinely looks like he can be one of the best linebackers in football. You simply cannot teach his level of athleticism and when it is all clicking he is flying around the field.
That is not always the case, though, and Cowboys fans need to remember his Week 1 showing while getting excited about Week 2. As Chargers fans know all too well, there are far more Week 1 efforts out of Murray than there are Week 2 efforts.
Smart teams are going to target Murray in the passing game. Despite his huge day, this isn't something Wilson did too frequently on Sunday. That won't be the case against Ben Johnson's Bears or Matt LaFleur's Packers in each of the next two weeks.
The Chargers, meanwhile, are dealing with linebacker issues of their own. Third-year linebacker Daiyan Henley is one of the best young linebackers in the sport but he won't be playing alongside a familiar face in Week 2.
Second-year linebacker Junior Colson was put on IR before the season started. Veteran linebacker Denzel Perryman, who started alongside Henley in Week 1, was just put on IR.
Even with the shock to the team's linebacker depth, and Murray's great performance, the Chargers still have to feel better about their linebacker situation.