Myles Murphy's humorous diet change has him feeling the best he's felt in years ahead of critical season with Bengals
Myles Murphy is looking to put it all together entering his third season.The Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick from 2023 will have every chance to prove his worth with a starting gig open from Sam Hubbard's retirement. Just don't expect any cereal brands to reach out to Murphy for a partnership anytime soon. Murphy, who's working […]
Myles Murphy is looking to put it all together entering his third season.
The Cincinnati Bengals' first-round pick from 2023 will have every chance to prove his worth with a starting gig open from Sam Hubbard's retirement.
Just don't expect any cereal brands to reach out to Murphy for a partnership anytime soon.
Murphy, who's working with a new positional trainer this offseason, is also in better shape compared to where he was in the middle of last season after suffering a knee injury in training camp. He attributes his lower body fat percentage to cutting out cereal from his diet.
"I haven't eaten cereal in three months," Murphy told Bengals.com's Geoff Hobson. "I feel that in itself, has changed me. . .because there's a lot of dense, packed sugar in cereal. . .which a lot of people don't think about."
Lowering his sugar intake from breakfast has helped Murphy reach 13.8% body fat, according to Hobson, and he's down nearly 10 pounds in the last four months since the end of the season. But as Murphy mentions, it's a different kind of weight when the consumption has changed.
"I feel like I'm in one of the best bodies I've been in for years. Since sophomore year of college," Murphy said. "I ended the season at 282 and three weeks ago I was 265-267. Since then, I've been packing on muscle. Yesterday I weighed myself and I was 274.
"It's close to last year, but the body fat is different. . .I feel great. . .Losing that breakfast. . .I'm losing that sugar."
Count your days, General Mills!
Murphy's 2024 season was definitely impacted by his injury that sidelined him for the first four games. He ended the season without recording a single sack despite posting the second-highest pass rush win rate on the team at 10.2%, per Pro Football Focus.
Staying healthy, and in better shape, is a recipe for a breakout season. That he's just 23 years old should also give the Bengals hope that his best football is ahead of him. His sophomore season he referenced saw him post 14 tackles for loss and seven sacks, each being career-highs for him at Clemson.
Sacrificing a tasty breakfast for backfield production like that will be worth it in time.
Biggest losers from Bengals free agency also now have way more pressure on their shoulders than anyone could’ve expected
Good luck to them, they’ll need it.
