The Cincinnati Bengals would like to keep former first-round pick Myles Murphy part of their future plans. But they reportedly won’t do so by extending his rookie deal.According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on their 2023 first-round draft pick.If the Bengals had picked up the option, it would have paid Murphy just shy of $14.5 million in 2027.Last year was the first Murphy spent as a starter, slotting into the spot left open after Trey Hendrickson battled injuries in the back half of the season. He played in all 17 for the Bengals for the second time in his career (2023).Murphy set a career-high in sacks (5.5) and tackles (52) last season. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hits and six tackles for a loss; both were also career bests.Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said this week that they would like Murphy to remain with the Bengals for the “long-term.”After the offseason departures of Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample, Murphy is one of the more tenured Bengals along Cincinnati’s defensive line. He’ll be opposite 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart and free agent acquisition Boye Mafe.Sandwiched between Murphy, Mafe and Stewart on the Bengals’ defensive interior will be Jonathan Allen, also signed in free agency, and Dexter Lawrence II, who the Bengals traded for in the run-up to this year’s draft.

CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Bengals would like to keep former first-round pick Myles Murphy part of their future plans. But they reportedly won’t do so by extending his rookie deal.

According to ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler, the Bengals are declining to pick up the fifth-year option on their 2023 first-round draft pick.

If the Bengals had picked up the option, it would have paid Murphy just shy of $14.5 million in 2027.

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Bengals are declining Myles Murphy’s fifth-year option per @JFowlerESPN

Would have been just shy of $14.5M for 2027. Duke Tobin stated this week they would like Murphy in a Cincinnati uniform for the “long-term”.

Big year on the way for the former No. 28 overall pick.

— Charlie Clifford (@char_cliff) April 30, 2026

Last year was the first Murphy spent as a starter, slotting into the spot left open after Trey Hendrickson battled injuries in the back half of the season. He played in all 17 for the Bengals for the second time in his career (2023).

Murphy set a career-high in sacks (5.5) and tackles (52) last season. He was also credited with 10 quarterback hits and six tackles for a loss; both were also career bests.

Bengals Director of Player Personnel Duke Tobin said this week that they would like Murphy to remain with the Bengals for the “long-term.”

After the offseason departures of Hendrickson, Joseph Ossai and Cam Sample, Murphy is one of the more tenured Bengals along Cincinnati’s defensive line. He’ll be opposite 2025 first-round pick Shemar Stewart and free agent acquisition Boye Mafe.

Sandwiched between Murphy, Mafe and Stewart on the Bengals’ defensive interior will be Jonathan Allen, also signed in free agency, and Dexter Lawrence II, who the Bengals traded for in the run-up to this year’s draft.