Buccaneers To Bring Back CB Sean Murphy-Bunting

The veteran cornerback is rejoining the Bucs, ESPN.com’s Jeremy Fowler tweets. While Tampa Bay Super Bowl CBs Jamel Dean and Carlton Davis are no longer in the picture, Murphy-Bunting will help out a younger group of corners in 2026.

This is a practice squad deal, per Fowler, who indicates a gameday elevation early in the season will be in play. Murphy-Bunting last played for the Bucs in 2022, before moving to Nashville and Arizona. Some injury misfortune plagued the eighth-year veteran with the Cardinals, but he stands to provide depth with his original NFL employer.

Murphy-Bunting, the 39th overall pick of the 2019 draft, began his career with a four-year run in Tampa Bay. While seeing significant time on the outside and in the slot, he started in 36 of 53 appearances, deflected 21 passes and intercepted six in the regular season. But Murphy-Bunting is likely better known for his performance during the Bucs’ 2020 playoff run. In wins over the Commanders, Saints, Packers and Chiefs, he combined for 19 tackles, five pass breakups and three INTs.

Murphy-Bunting’s role decreased in head coach Todd Bowles‘ first year in 2022, leading the corner to exit in free agency during the next offseason. He took a one-year, $5MM deal with the Titans and went on to start in all 14 appearances in 2023. While mostly lining up on the perimeter, Murphy-Bunting racked up 57 tackles, eight PDs, two picks and two forced fumbles.

The 6-foot, 190-pounder did not remain in Tennessee for a second season, though he did far better in his return to free agency. The Cardinals gave Murphy-Bunting a three-year, $25.5MM payday with $17.5MM in guaranteed money. As a full-time starter over 15 games in the first year of the contract, Murphy-Bunting tallied 52 tackles, five pass breakups, three INTs and two FFs.

Although a torn ACL and MCL damage prevented Murphy-Bunting from playing last year, it looked as if the Cardinals would retain him. Murphy-Bunting accepted a pay cut in March, but the Cardinals elected to move on almost six months later. The 29-year-old will now try to earn a spot again in Tampa Bay, which has Zyon McCollum, Benjamin Morrison, Jacob Parrish and two rookies – fourth-rounder Keionte Scott and UDFA Ayden Garnes – on its roster.

Connor Byrne contributed to this post.