Bengals may’ve been given the solution to the new problem they’re facing thanks to reigning Super Bowl champions
The Cincinnati Bengals desire to keep defensive end Myles Murphy beyond the 2026 season. A recent contract extension conducted by the Seattle Seahawks may help the process.
The Cincinnati Bengals desire to keep defensive end Myles Murphy beyond the 2026 season. Despite this, the Bengals declined to exercise the fifth-year option of Murphy’s rookie contract, which is now set to expire at the end of the 2026 league year.
An extension for Murphy is now needed a lot sooner if the Bengals want to keep Murphy for their price. Accelerating the timeline may present challenges whereas the fifth-year option would’ve provided more time for Cincinnati to evaluate Murphy’s market with a larger sample size.
Time is of the essence. Thankfully, a recent contract extension conducted by the reigning Super Bowl champions may help the process.
Bengals can use Derick Hall’s extension as framework for Myles Murphy’s deal
The Seattle Seahawks agreed to a three-year, $42 million extension with defensive end Derick Hall that can be worth up to $46.5 million. $21 million, half the base value of the deal, is guaranteed, as first reported by ESPN NFL insider Adam Schefter.
An Average Annual Value (AAV) of $14 million per year ranks 33rd among NFL EDGEs. It’s also mighty close to the value of what Murphy’s fifth-year option would’ve been at $14.475 million.
Cincinnati didn’t want to be married to the guaranteed $14.475 million figure for 2027, but if keeping Murphy is the priority, that range may be where it needs to reside in negotiations.
Hall is quite comparable to Murphy
The deal Hall is now signed under through 2029 is important because of the similarities he has with Murphy.
Both were selected nine picks apart in the 2023 NFL Draft. Murphy was a first-rounder, selected No. 28 overall, and Hall was taken No. 37 in the second round.
Their production is comparable as well, albeit with Hall having the edge in virtually every notable category.
Derick Hall vs. Myles Murphy stats
Comparing the production between both fourth-year players. Pass Rush Snaps and Pressures via Pro Football Focus.
- Games Played – Hall: 48, Murphy: 47
- Games Started – Hall: 17, Murphy: 10
- Pass Rush Snaps – Hall: 765, Murphy: 772
- Pressures – Hall: 97, Murphy: 76
- Sacks – Hall: 10, Murphy: 8.5
One could make the argument that because Hall is more proven on the field, Murphy shouldn’t command an equal or larger contract. That’s also not how the market usually works. The earlier a deal is made for a worthy player, the more affordable it ends up becoming in hindsight. Past contracts for adjacent talents are continually used as starting points for negotiations.
Hall’s production has been better than Murphy, but he’s also a year older and was declared a starter earlier. Murphy’s side of the negotiations will point to his age, and how he ascended as a first-time starter during the 2025 season.
Where both sides go from here
It would be impressive business by the Bengals if they could sign Murphy to an extension with a smaller AAV and guaranteed value compared to Hall. The more likely result is Murphy’s deal will be, at least, slightly more expensive. It will definitely be greater if he choses to play out his contract year and builds off what he did last season.
Hall’s deal is valuable information in Cincinnati’s mission to keep Murphy. Whether or not it is utilized is up to the club.