The Conversation | How Myles Murphy Emerged On The Bengals Edge: ‘If You Want To Get Better, You Start Asking Questions’

After rebuilding his game like he’s restoring his grandfather’s ’62 Pontiac and overhauling his offseason regimen hour-by-hour, Bengals defensive end Myles Murphy is enjoying the best stretch of his three-year career.

How do you know? Face of the franchise Joe Burrow gave Murphy some high-profile love earlier this week when he publicly talked about the plays he’s been making.

In this week’s conversation with Bengals.com senior writer Geoff Hobson, Murphy, the club’s first-round pick out of Clemson in 2023, talks about the keys to his emergence, how veterans Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard helped, and the new schedule that re-formed his body, as well as gave him the time to supplement his lifelong passions of cars and football.

The Conversation

GH: The quarterback shouted you out to say how well you’re playing.

MM: Oh really? I didn’t even notice. It’s always a good feeling knowing the quarterback or offensive coordinator is thinking about me. I’ll take the credit.

GH: What about your play of the last month? What do you think has been the key?

MM: There’s been no second-guessing. Trusting what I see with the game plan. Trusting the film I’ve been watching and just attacking everything.

GH: Coach (defensive coordinator Al) Golden has talked about how physical you’ve been against the run. You’ve set the edge. You made that a big part of your game.

MM: That’s just attitude. Making the decisions and trusting what you see in the game plan.

GH: Even the play last Sunday that you wish you had made. Where the Miami running back, De’Von Achane, had the long touchdown run and you were still in the backfield right away.

MM: That was a weird look. An unscouted look. (Dolphins wide receiver Jaylen) Waddle, he came from maybe like six to eight yards outside of me to chip the ends, and Achane, he was on the lead outside. Tried to make a play.

GH: How big of a factor has your new defensive line coach been? Jerry Montgomery?

MM: He’s been a big factor when it comes to film study. He’s been breaking down backfield sets when it comes to runs. If it’s an unfamiliar look, nine times out of 10 it’s pass. So really, just giving you a start on what’s coming at you and being able to pin your ears back knowing it’s pass. If it’s a run, what types of runs do they do out of certain looks?

GH: You’ll nearly double the most snaps you’ve had in a season with last year’s 353 against this year’s 604. Has that been a big part of it, just getting reps?

MM: I’ve been saying it all year. Experiencing it, and the only way to do that is to get those reps on the field. And of course, getting those reps in practice helps, but you can’t compare game day reps to anywhere else. Getting those game day reps and building that confidence on the field and making plays. Putting good stuff on tape.

GH: With the reps, what has been your biggest improvement?

MM: Decision-making, honestly, it all stems from just watching film and having a few keys on. OK, this is the one to three things they like to do on this set, and making a decision on it. OK, this is what I’m going to do on this play when the ball snaps. If it’s a pass, this is the rush I have in mind. It’s almost just like a one-two punch. Ball snaps. If it’s not run, OK pass, I know exactly what I’m going to do on their offensive tackle.

GH: Who has helped you on the edge the most when it comes to vets? Although you’re a vet yourself now.

MM: Teammates-wise, really Trey (Hendrickson) because he brought me in. I was a young guy. My rookie year, he was the vet. Him Sam Hubbard. Those were the vets. Then it kind of went over to Joseph Ossai when he started making plays. If you want to get better, you start asking questions and seeing what’s working for other people and you kind of just implement it into your game.

GH: What’s the one thing you’ve picked up from Trey?

MM: Really, just watching his film. Seeing how he rushes, how he sets up rushes. How he progresses throughout the game plan each and every game.

GH: Anything you took from Sam before he retired after last season?

MM: Routine. He is very anal by his schedule. He does not let anyone interfere with his schedule, whether it be a meal, massage, stretching, pregame routine, he is very anal by his schedule. And I think I’m pretty anal by my schedule as well, because I found something that works and I’ve stuck with it.