Sean Murphy-Bunting (formerly Bunting, born June 19, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.
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Early life
Murphy-Bunting attended and played high school football at Chippewa Valley High School.
College career
Murphy-Bunting played three seasons for the Chippewas, starting his sophomore and junior seasons. As a sophomore, he recorded five interceptions, which finished second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC). As a junior, Murphy-Bunting recorded 37 tackles and two interceptions and was named first team All-MAC0. He decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.
Professional career
Pre-draft
Pro Football Focus and Scout Inc. ranked Murphy-Bunting the 10th best cornerback prospect in the draft. Sports Illustrated had him ranked as the 17th best cornerback in the draft. The majority of NFL draft analysts projected Murphy-Bunting to be a second round pick.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (first stint)
The Tampa Bay Buccaneers selected Murphy-Bunting in the second round (39th overall) of the 2019 NFL draft. He was the fourth cornerback drafted in 2019 and was the first of two cornerbacks drafted by Tampa Bay, with the other being third round pick (94th overall) Jamel Dean.
On May 9, 2019, the Tampa Bay Buccaneers signed Murphy-Bunting to a four-year, $7.37 million contract that included $4.21 million guaranteed upon signing and a signing bonus of $3.38 million.
Throughout training camp, he competed for a role at starting cornerback against Vernon Hargreaves, Ryan Smith, and Jamel Dean. Head coach Bruce Arians named Murphy-Bunting a backup to begin the season and listed him as the fifth cornerback on the depth chart, behind starters Carlton Davis and Vernon Hargreaves III and second-team cornerbacks Jamel Dean and M. J. Stewart.
On September 8, 2019, he made his professional regular season debut, but appeared mainly on special teams during a 31–17 loss to the San Francisco 49ers. On October 6, 2019, Murphy-Bunting had four combined tackles (three solo) and made his first career interception off a throw by Teddy Bridgewater that was intended for running back Alvin Kamara as the Buccaneers lost 31–24 at the New Orleans Saints. The following week, he earned his first career start as a nickelback during a 37–26 loss to the Carolina Panthers in Week 6. In Weeks 9 and 10, Murphy-Bunting started at outside cornerback in place of Carlton Davis who injured his hip during pregame warmups prior to kickoff. He performed well enough to supplant Vernon Hargreaves at starting cornerback when Davis returned in Week 11 and Hargreaves would go on to be released on November 12, 2019.
In Week 13, Murphy-Bunting recorded a season-high two pass deflections and made a critical fourth quarter interception by rookie Gardner Minshew in the Buccaneers' end zone to end a 28–11 win at the Jacksonville Jaguars. On December 15, 2019, he had a team-leading and season-high eight solo tackles, made one pass deflection, and intercepted a pass by rookie David Blough to return it 70-yards for his first career touchdown during a 38–17 win at the Detroit Lions. The following week, Murphy-Bunting had four solo tackles, one pass deflection, and had his first career sack on Deshaun Watson, causing a fumble during a 23–20 loss to the Houston Texans in Week 16. He finished his rookie season in 2019 with a total 44 combined tackles (37 solo), eight pass deflections, three interceptions, one touchdown, a sack, and one forced fumble while appearing in all 16 games with ten starts. He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.
Tennessee Titans
On March 20, 2023, the Tennessee Titans signed Murphy-Bunting to a one–year, $3.50 million contract that was fully guaranteed upon signing and included an initial signing bonus of $2.42 million. Throughout training camp, Murphy-Bunting competed for a role at starting cornerback against Roger McCreary. Head coach Mike Vrabel named Murphy-Bunting and Kristian Fulton the starting cornerbacks to begin the season. He became the first player in Titans history to wear the #0 after it was allowed beginning in the 2023 season.
On September 10, 2023, Murphy-Bunting started in the Titans' season-opener and recorded six combined tackles (four solo) and forced a fumble during a 16–15 loss at the New Orleans Saints. The following week, he made three combined tackles (one solo) and set a career-high with three pass deflections as the Titans defeated the Los Angeles Chargers, 26–24. He was sidelined for two games (Weeks 10–11) after sustaining an injury to his thumb. In Week 14, Murphy-Bunting racked up a season-high seven solo tackles and had a pass deflection during a 19–16 loss against the Houston Texans. He was inactive for the Titans' Week 16 loss to the Seattle Seahawks after injuring his shoulder. On January 7, 2024, he collected a season-high eight combined tackles (seven solo) and intercepted a pass thrown by Trevor Lawrence to Zay Jones during a 28–20 victory against the Jacksonville Jaguars. In his lone season with the Tennessee Titans, Murphy-Bunting recorded a total of 57 combined tackles (42 solo), eight pass deflections, and two interceptions in 14 games and 14 starts.
Arizona Cardinals
On March 14, 2024, the Arizona Cardinals signed Murphy-Bunting to a three-year, $25.50 million contract that includes $17.39 million guaranteed with $14.19 million guaranteed upon signing and also included an initial signing bonus of $6.00 million.
Upon signing with Arizona, Murphy-Bunting became the apparent No. 1 cornerback on the depth chart as the only experienced veteran among a young core group of players, that included second year players Garrett Williams, Kei'Trel Clark, Starling Thomas V, and Divaad Wilson as well as rookies Max Melton, Elijah Jones, and Jaden Davis. Head coach Jonathan Gannon listed Murphy-Bunting and Garrett Willams as the starting cornerbacks to begin the season.
In Week 3, he collected a season-high seven combined tackles (three solo) as the Cardinals lost, 20–13, to the Detroit Lions. He was inactive for two games (Weeks 8–9) after injuring his neck. On December 14, 2024, Murphy-Bunting made two combined tackles (one solo), a pass deflection, and made his first interception with the Cardinals on a pass thrown by Drake Maye intended for wide receiver Kayshon Boutte as they defeated the New England Patriots, 30–17. He finished with 52 combined tackles (30 solo), five pass deflections, and a career-high three interceptions in 15 games and 15 starts.
On May 22, 2025, the Cardinals placed Murphy-Bunting on the reserve/non-football injury list, ending his 2025 season.
On August 30, 2026, Murphy-Bunting was waived by the Cardinals.
Tampa Bay Buccaneers (second stint)
On September 2, 2026, Murphy-Bunting was signed to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers practice squad.
Pittsburgh Steelers
On October 5, 2026, Murphy-Bunting was signed by the Pittsburgh Steelers off the Buccaneers practice squad.