The Cincinnati Bengals have invested in pass rushers early in the NFL Draft in recent years.

And one of them, Myles Murphy, is starting to emerge as a major contributor, which will force the Bengals to make an important decision about his future this spring.

Murphy came on strong in the second half of last season.

Myles Murphy is beginning to prove why he is a DE1 or DE2 for this team in the 2026-2027 season. Among 51 qualified Edge Defenders (min. 50% of Pass Rushes in weeks 9-13), in the following categories, he ranks:

Pass Rush Win Rate – 12.6% (24th)
TPS – Pass Rush Win Rate – 18.5%… pic.twitter.com/sFarKYkrDX

— Numbers guy Gordo (scumbag)(retired) (@Thelastgordo99) December 2, 2025

According to Pro Football Focus, Murphy had 41 total pressures last season (46th overall for his position), two batted passes (11th), 29 stops (18th), and 36 solo tackles (6th).

That is all pretty solid, but he still doesn’t have the kind of continued success that justifies a big contract extension; he has just 8.5 career sacks and was not particularly productive his first two years in the league.

Now the Bengals must decide if they want to exercise Murphy’s fifth-year option, which will be $14.475 million.

The fifth-year option for Myles Murphy will be $14.475M if #Bengals choose to exercise it. https://t.co/XTmzK9T4LY

— Paul Dehner Jr. (@pauldehnerjr) February 27, 2026

The highly-athletic pass rusher just turned 24 last month, so there is certainly reason to believe he will make a big jump in his fourth season.

The deadline for Murphy’s fifth-year option is May 1.