Buffalo Bills: Expect to see a different Trent Murphy in 2019

DE Trent Murphy is now healthy and a completely different player, according to the Buffalo Bills coaching staff.

The Buffalo Bills must’ve been aware of the risks that came from signing Trent Murphy to a three-year, $21 million deal in 2018. Up to that point, the defensive end hadn’t played in an NFL game in over a year, as he was recovering from an ACL and MCL tear that forced him out of 2017. In 2016, he tallied 9.5 sacks, 46 total tackles, 25 QB hits, 55 pressures, and ten tackles for loss. His prior production and age (now 28) were enough to warrant the high price tag.

Before the start of the 2018 season, many were on the fence determining his worth to the Bills. By seasons end, many remained unmoved. Murphy’s rust was all too apparent while injuries to his ankle, groin, knee surfaced. But, when he saw the field (13 games, ten starts), flashes of his prior dominance prevailed.

Murphy finished his first year in Western New York with 4.0 sacks, 14 total tackles, nine QB hits, and five tackles for loss. A far cry from his production in 2016, but a solid year that should earn him a starting job heading into 2019. With a now motivated Shaq Lawson on-board, he’ll need to do more for defensive coordinator Leslie Frazier’s pass-rushing unit.

At organized team activities (OTAs), Murphy caught Frazier’s eye, and rightfully so. For the first time in a long time, the edge rusher has the benefit of a healthy off-season. The result is an entirely different player, as Frazier said during media availability, according to Buffalo Rumblings:

"Of course, last year at this time he was — coming off the injury and the surgery and really kind of feeling his way. The confidence, the movement, everything looks so much better. We’re hoping that continues as we get farther along, but he’s a different player."

Then at mandatory minicamps, head coach Sean McDermott added to the praise from Leslie, stating Murphy’s mental space as a reason for improvement:

"[Murphy] just looks like he’s in a different mental space. Another year removed from where he was last year when we first got him here. —  He is a big part of what we plan to do and affecting the quarterback and I just really appreciate what he brings to the table."

McDermott mentions that the team has big plans for Murphy in 2019, and for a good reason. Before being lost to injuries, Murphy was among the NFL’s most promising edge rushers. In Washington, his high-effort play and versatility helped him flourish as a hand in the dirt or standup pass-rusher and edge setter.

Murphy is similar to Jerry Hughes in that their resumes don’t boast Pro-Bowl appearances or gaudy stats, yet they pass the eye test and then some. The goal in combining the two is to create a consistent pass-rush able to complement a stingy secondary. Though that didn’t happen in their first season together, there is plenty of hope — with Murphy now healthy — that it will come in 2019.