Prior to running back DeMarco Murray removing references to the Dallas Cowboys from his Twitter account early Tuesday morning, the team had made him an offer averaging about $5 million a season, a source familiar with the negotiations told Yahoo Sports.

That is in line with what league sources said during the weekend prior to Tuesday, the start of free agency – that the Cowboys did not want to invest top-line money in the running back position. It also explains why negotiations between Murray and the Cowboys are at a standstill, and why the running back is now considering other options.

Murray's top choice has shifted to the Philadelphia Eagles, a league source said. Both the Oakland Raiders and Jacksonville Jaguars have also expressed interest, however it is believed they are trailing in the pursuit.

Newly acquired Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford told reporters on Wednesday that he is actively recruiting Murray, a friend and former teammate at Oklahoma University, to join him in Philadelphia.

"I've called him. I've texted him. I've done everything," Bradford said. "We've been in communication. I think if we can somehow land DeMarco it would be a great pickup."

Murray's camp is believed to be seeking a deal in excess of the new pact signed by LeSean McCoy and the Buffalo Bills last week, which landed at five years and $40 million, including $16 million in the first season. The Seattle Seahawks' Marshawn Lynch also agreed to a three-year $31 million deal (with $12 million in the first year) prior to the start of free agency.

On the lower end of running back deals, the New Orleans Saints brought Mark Ingram back into the fold for $16 million over four years, while the Indianapolis Colts agreed with Frank Gore ($12 million over three years) and the Eagles added Ryan Mathews ($11.5 million over three years).