The Tampa Bay Buccaneers have successfully secured the return of a familiar and celebrated figure from their recent past. Sean Murphy-Bunting, a cornerback instrumental in their 2020 Super Bowl victory, has rejoined the team that originally drafted him. This reunion, specifically to the practice squad, brings valuable experience and depth to the Buccaneers' defensive lineup, particularly as Murphy-Bunting aims for an early elevation to the active roster.
Super Bowl Champion Sean Murphy-Bunting Returns to Tampa Bay
In a significant development for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting officially signed with the team's practice squad on Monday, September 1, 2026. Murphy-Bunting, who was a second-round pick for the Buccaneers in 2019 and a pivotal member of their Super Bowl LV championship team, returns to familiar territory after a recent stint with the Arizona Cardinals. ESPN's Jeremy Fowler confirmed the signing, noting that Murphy-Bunting was released by the Cardinals last week, who still owe him $2 million in guaranteed money. The move is widely regarded as a crucial acquisition for defensive backfield depth, given Murphy-Bunting's extensive experience, including 65 NFL starts, and his prior knowledge of defensive coordinator Todd Bowles' system.
Murphy-Bunting's tenure with the Arizona Cardinals saw him placed on the Non-Football Injury list in May 2025, effectively ending his 2025 season and significantly impacting his lucrative contract. While he initially signed a three-year, $25.5 million free agent deal with the Cardinals before the 2024 season, which included $17.39 million in guaranteed money, he ultimately collected only $11.3 million due to the injury designation. The specifics of his injury were not publicly disclosed by either the player or the team. This classification allowed the Cardinals to avoid paying his full $8 million salary for 2025, instead paying him $1.2 million. As The Arizona Republic's Theo Mackie explained, players on the non-football injury list, who suffer injuries unrelated to NFL games or practices, are not entitled to their base salary, highlighting the financial repercussions of his time in Arizona.
Drafted 39th overall out of Central Michigan in the 2019 NFL draft, Murphy-Bunting quickly made an impact. In his first two seasons with the Buccaneers, he played in all 32 regular-season games, starting 23, and accumulated 114 tackles, four interceptions, 11 pass deflections, and two forced fumbles, including one interception returned for a touchdown. His legend in Tampa Bay was solidified during the 2020 postseason, where he recorded three interceptions, five pass deflections, and 19 tackles over four games, playing a vital role in securing the franchise's second Super Bowl title.
This re-signing underscores the value of experience and proven performance in professional sports. For the Buccaneers, it's a shrewd move that bolsters their roster with a player who understands their system and has championship pedigree. For Murphy-Bunting, it represents a fresh start and an opportunity to once again contribute to a team where he previously achieved great success, navigating the complexities of player contracts and injury setbacks to return to the field he knows best.
