Myles Murphy named among 10 contract-year players most likely to break out in 2026

CINCINNATI, OHIO - JANUARY 4: Myles Murphy #99 of the Cincinnati Bengals takes the field prior to the game against the Cleveland Browns at Paycor Stadium on January 4, 2026 in Cincinnati, United States. (Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The Cincinnati Bengals may have made a mistake when they decided not to exercise Myles Murphy's fifth year option.

The edge rusher out of Clemson was just named one of the 10 contract-year players most likely to break out in 2026 by Fox Sports' Ben Arthur.

Here is what the reporter wrote:

Myles Murphy started to come on at the end of last season, recording three of his career-high 5.5 sacks in the final four weeks of the year. The additions of nose tackle Dexter Lawrence II, defensive tackle Jonathan Allen and edge rusher Boye Mafe should create favorable matchups for Murphy, a 2023 first-round pick, in 2026.

There's no doubt that Murphy will get a lot less attention from opposing offensive lines with all the talent in the middle of Cincinnati's defensive line after an offseason revamp. But he still has a ways to go before he's considered a top-tier starter in the NFL.

Here are the ten contract-year players listed in the article in order of most likely to least likely to break out in 2026:

1. Kyler Murray, QB, Minnesota Vikings
2. Riq Woolen, CB, Philadelphia Eagles
3. Christian Watson, WR, Green Bay Packers
4. Josh Downs, WR, Indianapolis Colts
5. Myles Murphy, DE, Cincinnati Bengals
6. Brenton Strange, TE, Jacksonville Jaguars
7. Aaron Brewer, C, Miami Dolphins
8. Kayvon Thibodeaux, OLB, New York Giants
9. Ji'Ayir Brown, S, San Francisco 49ers
10. Matthew Bergeron, OL, Atlanta Falcons