Byron Murphy II Just Got More Expensive For The Seahawks

Contract negotiations for Seattle's rising defensive star Byron Murphy II will be heavily impacted by recent market trends and record-breaking deals in the NFL.

The Seahawks’ long-term bill for Byron Murphy II may have climbed again, and fast.

Seattle already had one eye on the future with its young defensive tackle, who becomes eligible for a contract extension next offseason. At that point, John Schneider will also have to decide on Murphy’s fifth-year rookie contract option, putting the team on the clock with a player who looks like a centerpiece in the making.

The first jolt to the market came earlier this offseason when the Tennessee Titans locked up Jeffery Simmons on a three-year extension worth $105.8 million, with $100 million guaranteed. That deal briefly set the bar at $35.2 million per year for defensive tackles.

That number didn’t last long. On Tuesday, the Philadelphia Eagles agreed to a four-year, $152 million extension with Jalen Carter that can reach $160 million, with $106 million guaranteed. The new deal pushes Carter to a position-record $38 million per season and knocks Simmons down to second place in the defensive tackle pecking order.

Murphy’s camp is certainly paying attention. The sack totals alone don’t tell the whole story, but Carter has never topped 6.0 sacks in a season, and he had just three last year while missing multiple games because of injury. Murphy, meanwhile, posted a career-high 7.0 sacks in 2025.

If this pace keeps up, the Seahawks may be staring at an even steeper number than they expected. Based on where the market is headed, Murphy has a real shot to become the first $40 million defensive tackle in NFL history.

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