SEAHAWKS SIGN FIRST-ROUND PICK BYRON MURPHY TO ROOKIE DEAL
The Seattle Seahawks have signed first-round pick Byron Murphy II to his rookie contract, the team confirmed on Friday.
The former Texas Longhorn is now the second first-round draft pick to put pen to paper after Ravens cornerback Nate Wiggins, who signed his deal with Baltimore on Thursday. As reported by NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero, the deal is a four-year, $16,083,122 million fully guaranteed contract with a fifth-year option.
Murphy signed the deal after taking the field for the first time as a Seahawk in Friday’s rookie minicamp practice. The 2023 Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year and the rest of the Seahawks rookies and tryout players arrived Thursday. Murphy was then introduced in a press conference, accompanied by both new Seahawks Head Coach Mike Macdonald and General Manager/President of Football Operations, John Schneider.
“[This is] very exciting, man,” said Murphy on Thursday. “Really just blessed to be here. Growing up, Seattle has been my favorite team. So, just to be a part of this team and this organization, it really means a lot. I’m going to give everything I’ve got each and every day, 110%.”
“I just want to say thanks to both of you guys [Schneider and Macdonald] for trusting in me, believing in me and picking me to be part of this team and everything. It really means a lot. It’s a dream come true. Just blessed to be here.”
Murphy recorded 5.0 sacks and 8.5 tackles for loss in 2023, his first year as a starter for the University of Texas, and also led the FBS in pressure rate (12.7%) among interior defensive tackles. The 21-year-old was outstanding against the run, a feature of the Seahawks defense that needs much improvement from the past two years when Seattle allowed the most rushing yards (4,906) of any team in the NFL.
The 6-foot-1, 297-pound defensive lineman drew comparisons to former Los Angeles Rams DT Aaron Donald and Atlanta Falcons’ two-time Pro Bowl DT Grady Jarrett during the draft process and is expected to help Seattle regain their historic identity as a defensive juggernaut in the league.
“He’s got that ability to jump off the ball and get up field,” Seahawks GM John Schneider said of Murphy, who ran a 4.87-second 40-yard dash at the combine. “He can play edges, he can play square, he can rush the passer inside. He gets up and down the line of scrimmage.”
The 16th overall pick now will team up with former Giants DE Leonard Williams, whom the Seahawks traded for on October 30th last year, along their new look defensive line. Seattle re-signed Williams to a three-year, $64.5 million deal last month making him the highest-paid defender in franchise history. The 29-year-old is expected to be a key contributor to their defensive line and an invaluable leader to their young core.
After just two days at the Virginia Mason Athletic Center, it looks like Murphy will get along just fine as a Seattle Seahawk. The Desoto, Texas native has already developed a great relationship with HC Mike Macdonald. Speaking to the media on Friday, Murphy said: “I love Coach Macdonald. I feel like, you know, he’s very, very demanding. I feel like I want to play for a coach like that, coach that pushes me, a coach that wants me to be great. So, I love it.”
“He just plays our style of football, really,” new Seahawks HC Macdonald said. “And then he’s so talented. Versatility along the front, such an aggressive player, plays violently, heavy hands for a guy [of] shorter stature, flexible, pass-rush flexibility — you name it. Yeah, just really excited to have him.”
Regarding his first pro practice, Murphy said he felt like he had a good first day. “I feel like I had a great day at practice,” said Murphy. “I feel like there’s some things I need to work on, but I feel like I’m learning, still getting in the groove of things. Overall, today I feel like I had a good day.”
-Maher Abucheri
Twitter: @pabloikonyero
Photo: dnak. This file is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 Generic license.