It’s nearly decision time for the Cincinnati Bengals and edge rusher Myles Murphy. The deadline for the Bengals to pick up his fifth-year option is coming up on May 1st.
There are a few different factors that Bengals GM Duke Tobin is going to need to consider. However, after the draft, he admitted that this will be a “financial decision.”
Murphy was a first-round pick in 2023 and is still just 24 years old. However, his first three NFL seasons have been a struggle at times. In 47 games, he’s only made 10 starts, all of which came in 2025. He also has just 8.5 career sacks and 10 tackles for a loss. It’s production that hasn’t matched his draft slot, and his fifth-year option would be a guaranteed $14.475 million in 2027.
“He’s a 24-year-old guy that’s just starting to scratch the surface,” Tobin said. “I was pleased with his progression last year and how he took ownership of the starting role and how he grew throughout the season. By the end of the year, he was a problem for teams. He’s a guy we believe in.”
Tobin would add that the Bengals need to “see what kind of costs we can layer in next year.” So, it appears no decision has been made just yet.
Cap Space is an Issue for the Cincinnati Bengals
GettyCincinnati Bengals GM Duke Tobin
The salary cap is going to be a major hurdle for the Cincinnati Bengals to navigate. That’s clearly become a key reason why Duke Tobin hasn’t made his decision yet on Myles Murphy.
Following the trade for defensive tackle Dexter Lawrence and his contract extension, the Bengals have roughly just $7.4 million in cap space. Again, Murphy in 2027 would cost around $14.475 million in his fifth year.
That’s going to force the Bengals to get creative if they want to keep the services of Murphy. If Tobin is to be believed, that is something they would like to do, with a long-term relationship and potential contract extension. Of course, that still leads to plenty of doubt and speculation.
There are other ways to free up some cap space for the Bengals too. That includes trying to restructure other major contracts on the team.
The Bengals Announced a Major Update on Joe Burrow
GettyCincinnati Bengals QB Joe Burrow
One major contract that the Cincinnati Bengals need to look at is that of quarterback Joe Burrow. Now, the team looks ready to restructure his contract as they hope to keep him in Cincinnati for the long haul.
“Those are things that we’re working through after the draft. Again, we’re layered in challenges, but we’re up to them. And we do it because we have the opportunity to add the right people and the right players,” Tobin said.
“Those are challenges that the locker room isn’t interested in. They’re interested in having the best team possible. That’s what we’re trying to give them: The best team possible.”
Joe Burrow is obviously the key that the Cincinnati Bengals want to build around. Doing that in the best way possible, as it relates to the salary cap, is going to be vital for Tobin and the front office.
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