Cardinals Rework Sean Murphy-Bunting's Contract

Cornerback set to return to Arizona after missing 2025 season with knee injury

Mar. 8, 2026 at 6:09pm

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Arizona Cardinals have agreed to a revised contract with cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, keeping him with the team for the 2026 season. Murphy-Bunting was previously set to make $7.105 million before the contract adjustment. He missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury suffered in the offseason, but has been a starter for the Cardinals, as well as the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and Tennessee Titans, over the course of his NFL career.

Why it matters

Retaining Murphy-Bunting is an important move for the Cardinals as they look to bounce back from a disappointing 2025 season. The 26-year-old cornerback has been a key part of their secondary when healthy, and his return will provide stability and experience to the defensive backfield.

The details

The revised contract between the Cardinals and Murphy-Bunting is designed to keep the cornerback in Arizona for the 2026 season. He was previously set to make $7.105 million, but the two sides have agreed to a new deal that will adjust his salary. Murphy-Bunting signed a three-year contract with the Cardinals in 2024 and started 15 games that season, but missed all of 2025 due to a knee injury suffered in the offseason.

  • Murphy-Bunting signed a three-year deal with the Cardinals in 2024.
  • He started 15 games for the Cardinals in 2024.
  • Murphy-Bunting missed the entire 2025 season due to a knee injury.

The players

Sean Murphy-Bunting

A cornerback who has played for the Arizona Cardinals, Tampa Bay Buccaneers, and Tennessee Titans over the course of his NFL career.

James Conner

A running back for the Arizona Cardinals who has also agreed to a revised contract for the 2026 season.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What’s next

The Cardinals will be hoping that Murphy-Bunting can return to full health and reclaim his starting role in the secondary for the 2026 season.

The takeaway

Reworking contracts to retain key players is an important part of roster management in the NFL, and the Cardinals' decision to do so with Murphy-Bunting shows their commitment to building a competitive team for the upcoming season.