Bengals Don't Pick Up Myles Murphy's Fifth-Year Option

The Cincinnati Bengals are not picking up defensive end Myles Murphy's fifth-year option, a source told Kelsey Conway of The Cincinnati Enquirer. However, the Bengals are hoping to still work out a long-term deal with Murphy at some point. The 24-year-old former 28th overall pick by Cincy in 2023 out of Clemson had a career-best season in 2025 in his third year in the league, tallying 52 tackles (28 solo), 5.5 sacks, six tackles for loss, 10 QB hits, three pass breakups, and a fumble recovery in 17 games played (10 starts). In his first two years with the Bengals, Murphy only had three sacks in 30 games played (zero starts). Murphy will head into the 2026 season in the final year of his rookie deal, but if he plays more like he did last year, the Bengals will surely be more open to a long-term extension for the 6-foot-5, 275-pound defensive lineman. He's off the fantasy radar in IDP formats.

Source: The Cincinnati Enquirer - Kelsey Conway