The Pittsburgh Steelers are taking swift action to rebuild depth in their defensive backfield following a major shuffle in their secondary. NFL Network insider Tom Pelissero broke the news on social media, reporting that Pittsburgh is bringing in proven veteran leadership to help steady their cornerback group.
"The Steelers are signing veteran CB Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Bucs' practice squad, per source. Murphy-Bunting has played in 82 NFL games (65 starts) and has 11 career interceptions. Some experienced depth for Pittsburgh after the Joey Porter Jr. trade," posted Pelissero on X.
The Steelers are signing veteran CB Sean Murphy-Bunting off the Bucs' practice squad, per source. Murphy-Bunting has played in 82 NFL games (65 starts) and has 11
career interceptions. Some experienced depth for Pittsburgh after the Joey Porter Jr. trade. pic.twitter.com/waUZp7F8Jg
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) October 5, 2026
The signing comes at a critical juncture for Pittsburgh. Trading away high-profile cornerback Joey Porter Jr. left a noticeable void in the team's defensive secondary, forcing front-office executives to look for dependable, system-ready talent. Poaching Murphy-Bunting directly off the Tampa Bay Buccaneers' practice squad provides an immediate dose of stability without requiring a heavy trade outlay.
A former second-round pick out of Central Michigan, Murphy-Bunting brings a strong resume to the Steel City. Over the course of 82 NFL appearances, including 65 starts, he has racked up 11 interceptions, demonstrating a proven knack for taking away the ball in key situations. His track record includes postseason experience, notably starting throughout Tampa Bay’s Super Bowl LV championship run, where he picked off passes in three consecutive playoff games.
While Murphy-Bunting spent recent weeks on Tampa Bay's practice squad, his extensive starting experience makes him far more than a standard bottom-of-the-roster addition. He possesses the versatility to play both outside and in the nickel slot, giving Pittsburgh's defensive coaching staff valuable flexibility as they integrate him into coverage packages.
By adding a seasoned defender with championship credentials, Pittsburgh secures crucial insurance and depth as they recalibrate their secondary for the remainder of the season.
This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers add veteran CB Sean Murphy-Bunting after Joey Porter Jr trade
