The Cincinnati Bengals ranked 30th in the NFL with 28.9 points allowed per game in 2025, but defensive end Myles Murphy was a rare bright spot. The 24-year-old finished with a career-high 5.5 sacks over 17 games, taking a step forward after the Bengals took him in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

Now, the Bengals must decide on what to do with Murphy's fifth-year team option. If they pick it up, the former Clemson Tiger would be scheduled to make $13.6 million in 2027, per Over the Cap projections.

On paper, Murphy looks like a young and rising player, but the details are less favorable. He notched three of his sacks in the final four games and four over his last nine, as he played a larger role after star pass-rusher Trey Hendrickson went down with a season-ending injury. It's risky to invest in him without him consistently getting to the quarterback throughout an entire campaign.

However, with Hendrickson and Joseph Ossai hitting the open market this offseason, Cincinnati might not have a choice, via USA Today's Chris Rolling.

"The happy medium, and perhaps preferable for the Bengals, might be to do a small extension with Murphy soon," he wrote. "It could lock in more years at an acceptable middle ground for both parties, with room to negotiate for more later if things really take off for him."

What could that extension look like?

If Cincinnati doesn't either bring back Hendrickson and/or Ossai or bring in more veteran help at the position, then it might depend on Murphy and 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart next season. That would give each player a chance to prove themselves with leadership roles over an extended period, but that risk isn't sensible for a win-now team. 

The Bengals haven't made the playoffs since 2022, and they need to take advantage of franchise quarterback Joe Burrow's prime years. Developing young players is nice for rebuilding teams, but the presence of Burrow as well as star receivers Ja'Marr Chase and Tee Higgins makes the situation more urgent.

Signing Murphy to a three-year extension worth less than $10 million per year would give him long-term security while also not hamstringing Cincinnati with an expensive contract as it looks to upgrade the roster this offseason. Plus, it would be a bargain deal for the team if he has a breakout campaign.