Sean Murphy-Bunting (formerly Bunting, born June 19, 1997) is an American professional football cornerback for the Arizona Cardinals of the National Football League (NFL).[1] He played college football for the Central Michigan Chippewas.

Sean Murphy-Bunting
refer to caption
Murphy-Bunting in 2023
No. 23 – Arizona Cardinals
Position:Cornerback
Personal information
Born: (1997-06-19) June 19, 1997 (age 27)
Macomb, Michigan, U.S.
Height:6 ft 0 in (1.83 m)
Weight:195 lb (88 kg)
Career information
High school:Chippewa Valley (Clinton Township, Michigan)
College:Central Michigan (2016–2018)
NFL draft:2019 / round: 2 / pick: 39
Career history
Roster status:Active
Career highlights and awards
Career NFL statistics as of Week 6, 2024
Total tackles:267
Sacks:1.0
Forced fumbles:6
Fumble recoveries:2
Pass deflections:31
Interceptions:9
Defensive touchdowns:1
Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

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Murphy-Bunting attended and played high school football at Chippewa Valley High School.[2]

College career

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Murphy-Bunting played three seasons for the Chippewas, starting his sophomore and junior seasons.[3] As a sophomore, he recorded five interceptions, which finished second in the Mid-American Conference (MAC).[4] As a junior, Murphy-Bunting recorded 37 tackles and two interceptions and was named first team All-MAC0.[5] He decided to forgo his final year of eligibility to enter the 2019 NFL Draft.[6]

Professional career

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Pre-draft measurables
Height Weight Arm length Hand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split 20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 0+38 in
(1.84 m)
195 lb
(88 kg)
31+34 in
(0.81 m)
9+58 in
(0.24 m)
4.42 s 1.51 s 2.59 s 4.20 s 6.89 s 41.5 in
(1.05 m)
10 ft 6 in
(3.20 m)
14 reps
All values from NFL Combine/Pro Day[7][8]

Tampa Bay Buccaneers

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2019 season

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Murphy-Bunting was selected by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the second round with the 39th overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft.[9]

In Week 5 against the New Orleans Saints, Murphy-Bunting recorded his first career interception off Teddy Bridgewater in the 31–24 loss.[10] In Week 13, during a 28–11 win against the Jacksonville Jaguars, Murphy-Bunting recorded a critical fourth quarter interception off of fellow rookie Gardner Minshew in the Buccaneers's end zone to prevent a potential score.[11] In Week 15, during a 38–17 win against the Detroit Lions, Murphy-Bunting had a team-leading eight tackles, one pass deflection, and an interception off of fellow rookie David Blough which he returned 70 yards for his first career touchdown.[12] In Week 16, during a 23–20 loss to the Houston Texans, Murphy-Bunting had four tackles, one pass deflection, and his first career sack on Deshaun Watson which resulted in a fumble.[13]

Murphy-Bunting finished his rookie season with 44 tackles, one sack, eight pass deflections, three interceptions, one interception return touchdown, and one forced fumble.[14] He was named to the PFWA All-Rookie Team.[15]

2020 season

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Murphy-Bunting (#23) playing in Wild Card Playoff game against the Washington Football Team.

In Week 8 against the New York Giants on Monday Night Football, Murphy–Bunting recorded his first interception of the season off a pass thrown by Daniel Jones during the 25–23 win.[16] Overall, he finished the 2020 season with 70 total tackles, one interception, two passes defended, one fumble, and one fumble recovery in 16 games.[17]

In the Wild Card Round of the playoffs against the Washington Football Team, Murphy-Bunting intercepted a pass thrown by Taylor Heinicke during the 31–23 win.[18] In the Divisional Round against the Saints, Murphy-Bunting intercepted a pass thrown by Drew Brees during the 30–20 win.[19] In the NFC Championship against the Green Bay Packers, Murphy-Bunting recorded six total tackles, a pass deflection, and intercepted a pass thrown by Aaron Rodgers as the Buccaneers defeated the Packers 31–26 to advance to Super Bowl LV,[20] where they defeated the Kansas City Chiefs 31–9, to give Murphy-Bunting his first Super Bowl championship.[21][22] With this playoff run, Murphy-Bunting became the first player with an interception in each of his first three career playoff games since Hall of Famer Ed Reed.[23]

2021 season

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On September 13, 2021, Murphy-Bunting was placed on injured reserve after suffering a dislocated elbow in the first quarter of a 31–29 win over the Dallas Cowboys in the opener.[24] He was activated on November 22.[25] In the 2021 season, he appeared in nine games and started eight. He finished with 43 total tackles, three passes defended, and one forced fumble.[26]

2022 season

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In the 2022 season, Murphy-Bunting appeared in 12 games and started five. He finished with 31 total tackles, two interceptions, seven passes defensed, and one forced fumble.[27]

Tennessee Titans

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On March 20, 2023, Murphy-Bunting signed a one-year contract with the Tennessee Titans.[28] He became the first player in Titans history to wear the #0 after it was allowed beginning in the 2023 season.[29] He started 14 games in 2023, recording 57 tackles, eight passes defensed, and two interceptions.

Arizona Cardinals

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On March 14, 2024, Murphy-Bunting signed a three-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals.[30]

NFL career statistics

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Legend
Won the Super Bowl
Bold Career high

Regular season

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2019 TB 16 10 44 37 7 1.0 0 8 3 88 29.3 70 1 1 0 0 0
2020 TB 16 13 70 53 17 0.0 0 3 1 0 0.0 0 0 1 1 3 0
2021 TB 9 8 43 30 13 0.0 0 3 0 0 0.0 0 0 1 0 0 0
2022 TB 12 5 31 19 12 0.0 0 7 2 33 16.5 33 0 1 0 0 0
2023 TEN 14 14 57 42 15 0.0 0 8 2 12 6.0 10 0 2 1 5 0
Total 53 36 188 139 49 1.0 0 21 8 121 20.2 70 1 4 1 3 0

Postseason

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Year Team Games Tackles Interceptions Fumbles
GP GS Comb Solo Ast Sack Sfty PD Int Yds Avg Lng TD FF FR Yds TD
2020 TB 4 4 19 15 4 0.0 0 5 3 36 12.0 36 0 0 0 0 0
2021 TB 1 0 4 2 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 1 10 0
2022 TB 1 1 6 4 2 0.0 0 0 0 0 0.0 0 0 0 0 0 0
Total 6 5 29 21 8 0.0 0 5 3 36 12.0 36 0 0 1 10 0

References

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  1. ^ "Roster: Sean Murphy-Bunting". buccaneers.com. Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved May 2, 2019.
  2. ^ Petzold, Evan (March 16, 2019). "Life of an underdog: Sean Bunting operates inconspicuously to become prized NFL prospect". www.cm-life.com. Archived from the original on May 8, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  3. ^ "Sean Bunting College Stats". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on May 2, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  4. ^ "2017 Mid-American Conference Leaders". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  5. ^ "Sean Bunting 2018 Game Log". College Football at Sports-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  6. ^ Crawford, Kirkland (April 26, 2019). "Tampa Bay Buccaneers take CMU's Sean Bunting in Round 2 of NFL draft". Detroit Free Press. Archived from the original on April 27, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  7. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting Draft and Combine Prospect Profile". NFL.com. Archived from the original on October 17, 2021. Retrieved March 3, 2021.
  8. ^ "2019 NFL Draft Scout Sean Bunting College Football Profile". DraftScout.com. Retrieved October 4, 2023.
  9. ^ Yarcho, James (April 26, 2019). "Buccaneers Select Sean Bunting With Second Round Pick". BucsNation.com. SB Nation. Archived from the original on April 28, 2019. Retrieved November 20, 2019.
  10. ^ "Bridgewater's breakout lifts Saints past Bucs 31–24". www.espn.com. Associated Press. October 6, 2019. Archived from the original on October 8, 2019. Retrieved October 6, 2019.
  11. ^ "Bucs turn Foles' turnovers into touchdowns, beat Jags 28–11". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 1, 2019. Archived from the original on December 2, 2019. Retrieved December 1, 2019.
  12. ^ "Winston throws 4 TDs, helps Buccaneers beat Lions 38–17". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 15, 2019. Archived from the original on December 17, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2019.
  13. ^ "Texans win AFC South title with victory over Bucs". www.espn.com. Associated Press. December 21, 2019. Archived from the original on December 21, 2019. Retrieved December 21, 2019.
  14. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting 2019 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  15. ^ "2019 NFL All-Rookie Team". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved July 27, 2024.
  16. ^ "Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New York Giants – November 2nd, 2020". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on October 30, 2020. Retrieved November 3, 2020.
  17. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting 2020 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 18, 2023. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  18. ^ "Wild Card – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Washington Football Team – January 9th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on November 4, 2021. Retrieved January 10, 2021.
  19. ^ "Divisional Round – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at New Orleans Saints – January 17th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 18, 2021. Retrieved January 20, 2021.
  20. ^ "NFC Championship – Tampa Bay Buccaneers at Green Bay Packers – January 24th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on January 29, 2021. Retrieved January 31, 2021.
  21. ^ Patra, Kevin (February 7, 2017). "What we learned from Buccaneers win over Chiefs in Super Bowl LV". NFL.com. Archived from the original on November 10, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  22. ^ "Super Bowl LV – Tampa Bay Buccaneers vs. Kansas City Chiefs – February 7th, 2021". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Archived from the original on March 2, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  23. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting in elite company with playoff interception streak". Bucs Wire. January 25, 2021. Archived from the original on March 1, 2021. Retrieved March 11, 2021.
  24. ^ Smith, Scott (September 13, 2021). "Bucs Promote Andrew Adams, Put Two on IR". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on September 14, 2021. Retrieved September 14, 2021.
  25. ^ Smith, Scott (November 22, 2021). "Sean Murphy-Bunting, Zach Triner Activated from IR". Buccaneers.com. Archived from the original on November 23, 2021. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  26. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting 2021 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  27. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting 2022 Game Log". Pro-Football-Reference.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  28. ^ Wyatt, Jim (March 20, 2023). "Titans Agree to Terms with Former Buccaneers Cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting". TennesseeTitans.com. Retrieved August 27, 2023.
  29. ^ "Sean Murphy-Bunting will wear No. 0 jersey for Titans". NBC Sports. April 5, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
  30. ^ Urban, Darren (March 14, 2024). "Cardinals Make Official Six Free Agent Additions". AZCardinals.com. Retrieved October 18, 2024.
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