The Pittsburgh Steelers aren’t standing still during what Aaron Rodgers has said will be his final NFL season. Pittsburgh made another move Monday to add experience for its playoff push.
The Steelers are signing veteran cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers’ practice squad, according to NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero.
Murphy-Bunting brings considerably more experience than the typical practice-squad addition.
The 29-year-old has appeared in 82 NFL games, started 65 and recorded 11 career interceptions.
He also owns something Pittsburgh would love to earn this season.
A Super Bowl ring.
The move gives the Steelers another veteran option in their secondary following the recent trade of cornerback Joey Porter Jr.
Steelers Add Experienced Cornerback
Tampa Bay originally selected Murphy-Bunting in the second round of the 2019 NFL Draft out of Central Michigan. He spent his first four seasons with the Buccaneers and became an important member of the defense that helped Tampa Bay win Super Bowl LV.
Murphy-Bunting was especially productive during that championship postseason.
He intercepted a pass in each of Tampa Bay’s first three playoff games, including the NFC Championship Game victory over Rodgers and the Green Bay Packers. Murphy-Bunting later spent time with the Tennessee Titans and Arizona Cardinals before eventually returning to Tampa Bay.
Now he’s headed to Pittsburgh.
The Steelers aren’t necessarily asking Murphy-Bunting to immediately become their No. 1 cornerback. They don’t need him to be.
What Pittsburgh does need is proven depth and flexibility following the Porter trade, and Murphy-Bunting provides both. He has played hundreds of NFL snaps, started meaningful games and experienced a championship run.
Steelers Continue Building Around Aaron Rodgers
The timing makes every Pittsburgh move particularly interesting. Rodgers made it clear before the season that he expects 2026 to be his final year in the NFL.
That puts an obvious sense of urgency around Pittsburgh. There is no long-term developmental plan surrounding its 42-year-old quarterback.
The Steelers are trying to win now.
Adding Murphy-Bunting isn’t the type of transaction that will dominate the NFL news cycle, but experienced players can become particularly valuable as injuries accumulate during a long season.
Pittsburgh knows exactly what Murphy-Bunting has done. He has 11 interceptions, 34 passes defended and hundreds of tackles during his NFL career.
More importantly, he’s been through January football before. The Steelers hope to be there again.
