The Bucs have a championship reunion with the return of cornerback Sean Murphy-Bunting, who played a big role in Tampa Bay winning the 2020 season. That was a while ago at this point, but the 2026 version of Murphy-Bunting, also known as “SMB,” may end up playing an important role on the defense.

After being cut by the Cardinals at the end of camp, Murphy-Bunting came back to the Bucs, signing to their practice squad. It didn’t take him much convincing, either.

“Honestly, the process was pretty seamless,” Murphy-Bunting said on Wednesday. “When I was speaking with my agent, as far as destinations and places to go, Tampa was really… I want to say first on my list – well, it was, so I’m saying it anyway.

Bucs CB Sean Murphy-Bunting – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“Just being familiar, knowing the staff, knowing some of the players, knowing the culture and what it brings, and knowing the standard that wearing this logo and this uniform – the standard that it holds. It means a lot to me, a lot to my heart. I’m here, and I’m happy to be here. I’m blessed to be here in whatever situation that is. I’m looking forward to the season and [look] forward to what I can do to help however they may need it.”

Bucs And Murphy-Bunting Is A Natural Fit

When it comes to being on the field, SMB provides important versatility that the Bucs always love looking for. He can play each position in the secondary, allowing for Bucs head coach Todd Bowles to have more to work with if they need to elevate him from the practice squad.

Murphy-Bunting and Bowles reunited this week and they picked up right where they left off.

“He started off saying, ‘What’s up, old man?’ So, I said it back to him because we’re both…I guess we’re both pretty old in this league,” Murphy-Bunting said. “But, it was really natural. It felt like we picked up conversation from the last time we spoke. Nothing was forced.  He talked about how good this team is and how good of a position they’re in and the players that they have and how I can just be a part of the puzzle. So, I think the first conversation obviously went well.

Bucs DBs Mike Edwards, Sean Murphy Bunting and Ross Cockrell – Photo by: Cliff Welch/PR

“It was very natural, very seamless. That’s the same with (General Manager) Jason [Licht], and same with everybody. The relationships that I’ve built here, obviously, are still going strong, so that’s obviously a [testament] to them bringing me in and that’s a [testament] to just myself of just being the person that I am all the time. Nothing [has] changed. No matter the circumstance or the situation so, like I said, blessed for those people in my corner and blessed to be a part of this program.”

Bowles also shared his experience of the meeting.

“It was great,” Bowles said. “We talked yesterday. It would be great to have him because he can play corner, nickel and safety, if need be, to get him back in the fold. Obviously, we’ve changed a few things since he’s been here, but, you know, having a guy with that kind of experience always helps you.”

Everything Has Come Full Circle With Return To Bucs

The value Murphy-Bunting brings off the field will be just as important, if not more. He was part of the infamous “Grave Diggers” group in the secondary that helped the Bucs win a Super Bowl in 2020. Murphy-Bunting played a huge role on their playoff run, recording an interception in the Wild Card round, Divisional round and the NFC Championship en route to winning the title.

There are still some remnants of that Super Bowl winner in this locker room with players on this team from that big moment, but it’s also very new. Murphy-Bunting is a different player as well, having stops with the Titans and Cardinals as well since departing Tampa.

Murphy-Bunting recalled being a young rookie coming to this team with veterans around him, followed by being a mentor to Zyon McCollum in his last year here. McCollum is still a Buc, and there’s other young players that SMB can be a mentor to with second year players Jacob Parrish and Benjamin Morrison along with rookies Keionte Scott and Ayden Garnes.

Bucs CB Sean Murphy-Bunting – Photo by: USA Today

He’s more than willing to share advice when he can.

“When I came in, there was Carlton Davis [III], M.J. Stewart, Vernon Hargreaves,” Murphy-Bunting began.  “[It’s] different, obviously, learning from those guys in that position. Carlton, obviously, was a big reason and mentor for me too, just meshing. Same with Vernon and same with M.J. Everybody kind of gives you their two cents in many different ways. So, it was cool. Coming back, obviously being around Zyon [McCollum], my locker is right back next to Zyon.

“He was one of my young guys, so it’s just been pretty cool to be around him again. They’re a really young room, so however I can kind of give my two cents. I’ve played in different systems. I’ve been around different teams. I’ve been in this system. I’ve had success in this system. Everybody [has] had failures as well. I feel like I’ve dealt with a lot, given the situation that I’ve been in. I told them, earlier today, however I can help them in that mindset, as far as being mentally strong for it, physically strong for it, whatever it may be. I’m just a conversation away.”