Bucs Veteran Cornerback Signs With Titans
The Bucs have brought back one of their numerous free agents on defense, including cornerbacks Jamel Dean and Dee Delaney, linebacker Lavonte David, outside linebackers Anthony Nelson and Cam Gill and defensive lineman Pat O’Connor. But Tampa Bay couldn’t re-sign everyone.
According to Jordan Schultz. veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting is leaving Tampa Bay and signing a one-year deal with the Titans worth up to $5 million.
Sean Murphy-Bunting Helped Bucs Win Super Bowl LV With A Great Postseason In 2020
Murphy-Bunting joins defensive lineman Rakeem Nunez-Roches and starting safety Mike Edwards as players who have left the Bucs in free agency. Murphy-Bunting’s departure was expected with Dean’s re-signing. But the Bucs still have plenty of work to do to rebuild their depleted secondary, especially at safety as Keanu Neal and Logan Ryan both free agents. Tampa Bay is expected to draft a cornerback and a safety this year. The Bucs need another starting-caliber safety and could use another cornerback for depth, as the position is flush with good ones this year.
Murphy-Bunting was originally drafted in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan. In his rookie season he was thrust into the starting lineup as he appeared in all 16 games, starting 10 of them. His ball production that season was promising as he deflected eight passes, intercepted three and scored a touchdown while registering a respectable Pro Football Focus grade of 66.2 and a coverage grade of 66.4.
Over the next three seasons were a mixed bag for Murphy-Bunting as his regular season PFF grade fell in 2020 to 59.6, 56.4 in 2021 before rebounding to 71.8 in 2022. Murphy-Bunting struggled with injuries and confidence issues at time that prevented him from holding on to a starting cornerback role.
He may well be best known for his play in the 2020 playoffs in the lead up to and including the Super Bowl. Over the span of those four games Murphy-Bunting snagged three interceptions, including one in the Divisional Round against the division-rival Saints that was pivotal in the Bucs winning the game.
Murphy-Bunting started over 36 games for the Bucs over the past four seasons and has experience on both the outside and in the slot. Murphy-Bunting will be replaced on the depth chart with 2022 fifth-round draft pick Zyon McCollum outside and Delaney in the slot.
Over the course of his career Murphy-Bunting has 188 combined tackles, six for a loss, one sack, six interceptions, 21 passes defensed and four forced fumbles. For his playoff career he has 29 tackles, one for a loss, five passes defensed, three interceptions and a fumble recovered.
