Running back Darren McFadden will finally have to find a new home in 2015. Per reports, the Oakland Raiders could be done with their once prized runner, after McFadden failed to impress on a one-year “prove it” deal in 2014. Instead of taking the bull by the horns with his financial future on the line, McFadden struggled to stay healthy or put forth a consistent effort in his seventh NFL season and ultimately played himself out of the only job he’s ever known in the NFL.

McFadden returned on a one-year deal last year to compete with fellow veteran back Maurice Jones-Drew, but was only able to muster up 534 rushing yards and two touchdowns despite appearing in all 16 games for the first time in his career. Nagging injuries still kept McFadden at less than 100% and his productivity suffered from both that and sharing the workload on a bad Oakland offense. McFadden leaves with just a 3.4 yards per carry average in his final season, potentially sending him back onto the open market with damaged value.

On the bright side, no one can say McFadden’s struggles in Oakland are all his fault. At his worst, he’s always been a versatile, explosive weapon on a very bad team. He’s been held back largely by injuries throughout his career, but he did have a fantastic season back in 2010 (his only season with 1,000+ rushing yards) and any success he’s ever found has mostly come behind poor run blocking. McFadden won’t be leaving Oakland as the talent he was when he entered the league, but at just 27 years of age and with just two seasons with 200+ carries in his career, it’s arguable he could have a lot left to give his next team. Potential suitors for McFadden could end up including the Dallas Cowboys, New York Jets, Indianapolis Colts, Atlanta Falcons and others, although he’ll likely have to settle into a backup role initially.

The Raiders are right to move on, as tough as it might be. McFadden is still fairly young, but it’s been seven long years and he just hasn’t developed like everyone hoped he would. It’s especially crazy to keep him around when they have an equally talented running back behind him in Latavius Murray. Murray flashed elite explosiveness in Oakland’s first win of the year against the Kansas City Chiefs last year and also displayed the traits of an every down back down the stretch. He also has his own injury concerns, but at just 25 years old, Murray has everything needed to be the answer at the tailback position.

Whether or not Murray ends up being that guy remains to be determined, but a solid finish to his 2014 campaign suggests he can be. Combined with young quarterback Derek Carr, Murray could be a key piece that helps the Raiders slowly move back to relevancy – and some may even dare to say the playoffs.