Steelers Sign Murphy-Bunting
Steelers Sign Super Bowl Champion Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting to Bolster Secondary
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Key Points
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In his last NFL season, 2024, Murphy-Bunting recorded three interceptions and five pass deflections for the Arizona Cardinals.
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Pittsburgh received a 2028 second-round pick and a 2027 conditional sixth-round pick in exchange for Joey Porter Jr.
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During Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl-winning playoff run, Murphy-Bunting intercepted a pass in each of the team’s first three postseason games, including the NFC Championship win over Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay.
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Murphy-Bunting’s career totals also include 297 tackles and eight forced fumbles.
The Pittsburgh Steelers signed veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad to shore up their secondary. Yahoo Sports reports the move comes after the team traded Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas and faces injuries to Jamel Dean and other defensive backs. Murphy-Bunting, 29, won Super Bowl LV with Tampa Bay and has recorded 11 career interceptions across 82 NFL games.
The signing carries risk — a torn ACL sidelined Murphy-Bunting for the entire 2025 season, and he last played regular-season football in 2024, when he recorded three interceptions and five pass deflections for Arizona. Sporting News notes the Steelers received a 2028 second-round pick and conditional 2027 sixth-rounder for Porter Jr. His availability and role remain unclear as Pittsburgh addresses cornerback injuries.
From Super Bowl Hero to Unexpected Signing
Murphy-Bunting played a starring role in Tampa Bay's championship run. During the 2020 playoffs, he intercepted passes in each of the Buccaneers' first three postseason games. That included a crucial pick in the NFC Championship victory over Aaron Rodgers and Green Bay. SI.com reports the Steelers now hope to tap that veteran experience to stabilize their weakened secondary.
Injury Questions Mark Murphy-Bunting's Return
A torn ACL derailed Murphy-Bunting's 2025 season entirely. His last action came in 2024 with Arizona, when he logged three picks and five pass deflections. Athlon Sports highlights that his 82-game resume includes 65 starts, 297 tackles, and eight forced fumbles — solid credentials for a depth piece. The real question: how much can the 29-year-old contribute given his injury status and lack of recent game time?
Steelers Trade Porter Jr. to Cowboys
Pittsburgh moved Joey Porter Jr. to Dallas in exchange for a 2028 second-round pick and a conditional 2027 sixth-rounder. The trade freed up cap space and depth at cornerback, allowing the Steelers to bring in Murphy-Bunting. Sporting News reports the deal signals Pittsburgh's shift in defensive back strategy as injuries mount across the secondary.
Buccaneers Face Their Own Secondary Crisis
Tampa Bay's loss of Murphy-Bunting compounds an already thin secondary hit by injuries. The Buccaneers may need to add another defensive back to their practice squad to fill the gap. Yahoo Sports notes the team faces mounting roster challenges as it adjusts to both the Murphy-Bunting departure and ongoing secondary injuries across the NFL's AFC South.
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