Myles Murphy Issues Statement After Bengals’ Contract Decision

The Cincinnati Bengals entered the 2026 offseason determined to rebuild their defense and maximize Joe Burrow’s championship window, and they followed through.

The front office traded for Dexter Lawrence, signed Boye Mafe and Jonathan Allen, and added draft picks to a defense that already featured several young contributors. By the start of offseason workouts, Cincinnati had assembled arguably the deepest defensive roster of the Burrow era.

The aggressive spending, however, led to a difficult decision involving one of the team’s former first-round picks. On April 30, the Bengals declined Myles Murphy’s fifth-year option, which would have paid him $14.475 million in 2027.

While the organization’s decision made headlines, Murphy said the move was not unexpected.

“I knew it was a possibility,” Murphy said. “Duke [Tobin] and everyone upstairs, they’ve been pretty transparent on ‘we spent a lot of money this offseason.’ So, it does make sense” (via Laurel Pfahler of the Dayton Daily News).

Murphy added that there are “no hard feelings” and said communication with the organization has remained open throughout the process.

Now entering the final year of his rookie deal, the 24-year-old understands the stakes attached to the 2026 season. 

Murphy’s first two NFL seasons were uneven. Injuries and a crowded rotation limited his opportunities early, and he finished the 2024 season without recording a sack in 13 games.

Last year marked a major step forward for the Clemson alumnus. Murphy played all 17 games for the first time in his career, started 10 and finished with career highs in tackles (52), sacks (5.5) and tackles for loss (six). The season established him as a legitimate part of Cincinnati’s defensive future.

Now the Bengals want to see another jump in 2026. The additions around Murphy should create better opportunities than he has seen at any point since entering the league in 2023. Lawrence consistently commands double teams inside, Allen remains one of the league’s strongest interior disruptors, and Mafe, fresh off a Super Bowl run, brings proven pass-rush production off the edge. All of these could leave Murphy facing more one-on-one situations than ever before.

The Bengals’ decision to decline the fifth-year option does not necessarily close the door on an extension, and if Murphy takes another step in 2026, both sides could still work toward a long-term deal.

But after Cincinnati revamped its defense this offseason, Murphy’s future with the organization now depends heavily on what he does next.