Seahawks sign first-round draft pick Byron Murphy, rookie contract details revealed

The Seattle Seahawks drafted Texas Longhorns defensive lineman Byron Murphy in the first round of the 2024 NFL Draft and now, they’ve officially signed him to his rookie contract. The former Longhorn signed a four-year rookie deal for $16.083 million. His deal comes with a signing bonus of $8.516 million.

As a first-round pick, Murphy’s contract comes with a fifth-year option for the Seahawks. The team will decide if they’ll exercise the option after his third season in the league. His rookie deal is also fully guaranteed.

Byron Murphy spent three seasons at Texas, playing in 34 games. He had a phenomenal career, but the 2023 was particularly impressive from a statistical point of view. Murphy had 29 total tackles in 2023. He also had 8.5 tackles for a loss and 5.0 sacks.

That excellent performance led to Byron Murphy being named the Big 12 Defensive Lineman of the Year in 2023. He was also a First-Team All-Big 12 selection for the season. With that, he helped bring the Longhorns to the College Football Playoff for the first time in program history.

When the Seattle Seahawks selected Byron Murphy, Texas Longhorns head coach Steve Sarkisian shared his thoughts on the pick.

“Seattle got a great one and a guy that can be an anchor on their defensive line for a long time in Byron Murphy,” Sarkisian said.

“The biggest thing about Murph is the work ethic. He wasn’t the most highly recruited player coming out of high school, but he worked extremely hard, earned everyone’s respect and developed into a big-time NFL first-round pick. Really had a pitbull mentality every day in practice and is a guy who graduated from UT in just three years and has a great football IQ. He is such an awesome person, incredible teammate and was a great team leader for us.”

Byron Murphy is joining a Seattle Seahawks team going through a period of change, with Mike MacDonald taking over as the head coach for Pete Carroll, following a 9-8 season where the team missed out on going to the playoffs.

What NFL Draft analysts are saying about Byron Murphy

Ahead of the NFL Draft, analyst Lance Zierlein of NFL.com shared his thoughts on Byron Murphy in a scouting report.

“Muscular ball of explosiveness with the tools and talent to become a productive three-down defender in the right scheme. Twitchy first-step quickness combined with flexion and power in his lower half create a recipe for disruption as a gap shooter or as a pass rusher. Murphy is powerful and well-schooled at taking on double-teams but lacks ideal mass and length for that role long-term. He’s successful at bypassing protection with sudden hands and quick feet, while his motor and passion create an activity level coaches will love,” Zierlein wrote.

“Forget the average physical traits and modest production and focus on his competitive spirit and disruptive qualities. Murphy is ascending and could become a successful nose tackle or 3-technique in an even front.”