NFL insider Tom Pelissero confirmed the news this Monday morning: the Pittsburgh Steelers are snatching veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting right off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad. This isn’t some minor league call-up either, this guy has serious experience and is a critical add for Pittsburgh as they look to shore up their defensive backfield.
Veteran Talent Lands in Pittsburgh
Murphy-Bunting brings a ton of game reps to the Steelers. Drafted as a second-round pick back in 2019, he’s logged 82 NFL games, starting 65 of them, and has racked up 11 career interceptions. That’s a playmaker, plain and simple. He spent the bulk of his career with Tampa Bay, and also had stints with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals. His most recent full season saw him start 15 games in 2024 with Arizona, where he put up 52 total tackles and picked off three passes. The dude can still ball.
Why This Move Matters for the Steelers
Now, why is he coming off a practice squad? Murphy-Bunting spent most of 2025 on injured reserve, then inked a deal with the Bucs’ practice squad this year in 2026. So, Pittsburgh is getting a proven veteran who’s been working his way back. What’s the immediate impact? This move gives the Steelers some much-needed extra cornerback depth, especially after they traded Joey Porter Jr. last week. That’s a big hole to fill, and getting a guy with Murphy-Bunting’s resume, even after a practice squad stop, shows they are serious about their secondary.
This pickup is all about bringing experience and playmaking ability into that Steelers defense. After moving Porter Jr., they absolutely needed to make a move, and a guy who’s shown he can get those 11 career interceptions is a solid bet. It’ll be interesting to see how fast Murphy-Bunting gets up to speed and makes an impact for Pittsburgh. They need that depth, and they just got it.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Behind the Steel Curtain.
Leave a Reply