IRVING, Texas -- Over the last few years DeMarco Murray become close friends with Jason Witten and Tony Romo as his role in the Dallas Cowboys' success grew.

Murray's greatest effect might have been on Romo, who was no longer required to carry the heaviest burden for the Cowboys to succeed.

Speaking to reporters from Surprise, Arizona, where he is visiting with the Texas Rangers, Romo spoke about Murray's departure to the Philadelphia Eagles.

"It just happened, so you have to process everything," Romo said. "All the way up until today, I was still thinking we'd be able to keep DeMarco. Obviously, it's not an ideal situation. I'm losing a close friend, too, so that hurts. We have to trust in the process and the people making the decisions. We have salary cap implications and a bunch of other things that we have to decide. That plays a role. The Eagles obviously thought as highly of him as we did."

Romo attempted to do what he could to keep Murray, but the Cowboys were not willing to move much from their offer to the NFL's rushing champion to make sure Murray would not get on the plane to Philadelphia on Thursday.

Newly-acquired Eagles quarterback Sam Bradford said Wednesday he was recruiting Murray as hard as he could and Romo attempted to do the same. Romo, Witten, Murray and Jason Garrett spent time together at Duke to speak with Coach Mike Krzyzewski this month, but there were also recruiting pitches made.

"I may have tried a few times, maybe just a few," Romo said. "But sometimes that's just a reality. And sometimes that's disappointing."