How Steelers game changed Byron Murphy II’s mindset
The Seattle Seahawks witnessed a changed Bryon Murphy II during their 31-17 romp of the Pittsburgh Steelers. The defensive tackle himself admitted to adapting to personal change.
The past first round NFL Draft talent has cut off the braids from last season. Now Murphy is the only NFL defensive tackle with seven pressures and seven run stops through two games.
His Pittsburgh Steelers performance handed Murphy a new perspective. Which he shared Thursday during the team's press conference.
“After that game, it just triggered in my mind that I can be that guy,” Murphy said. “It's all about my preparation and how I prepare. My game has evolved.”
How Seahawks has unleashed Byron Murphy II now
Murphy now embraces the results during the weekdays, not just awaiting the weekend to disrupt offenses.
“What gets me excited as a player is seeing the results,” Murphy said.. “Just putting in the work at practice and all that translating to the game, that's what excites me.”
He's embracing his opportunities and how to take them. But also identified where he wanted to improve the most.
Article Continues Below
ClutchQuiz
Question 1 of 4
Who scored the 'Helmet Catch' in Super Bowl XLII?
Plaxico Burress
David Tyree
Eli Manning
Victor Cruz
“Pass rushing,” Murphy mentioned. “That was the biggest thing I focused on this offseason and another area of my game that's evolved.”
Murphy learned how to win inside and outside while adding to his hand arsenal — even leaning into veterans Jarran Reed and Leonard Williams to boost himself.
The former Texas Longhorns star collected two sacks of Aaron Rodgers Sunday. Murphy applied pressure by turning to a swim move and looping around the interior protection to get to Rodgers. He then showed his deadly mix of quickness and strength to clog running lanes.
Head coach Mike Macdonald now trusts Murphy outside of the one-technique nose tackle spot. Macdonald and defensive coordinator Aden Durde allowed their defensive tackle to line up in multiple spots: Seven plays in the “A” gap, 26 inside at the “B” gap and then six plays over the tackle — according to Pro Football Focus.
Murphy's 6-foot-1, 308-pound presence handed discomfort for Rodgers and Pittsburgh. The Seahawks and Murphy are anticpated to beat the New Orleans Saints using a similar gameplan.
Super Bowl Champion Puts Broncos on Notice Before Chargers Game
The Denver Broncos are prepared to face the “MVP” through two weeks of the regular season, and former star cornerback Chris Harris, a member of the 2015 Super Bowl team, did not mince words about the stakes.
Quarterback Justin Herbert has led the Los Angeles Chargers to their second consecutive 2-0 start and will look for his first even 3-0 opening salvo as a pro against the Broncos.
Bo Nix and the Broncos are looking to bounce back after their loss in Week 2.
Broncos Legend Chris Harris Sets Tone For Chargers Game
An undrafted free agent out of Kansas in 2011, Harris spent 12 seasons in the NFL, nine of which were with the Broncos in the “No Fly Zone.” He earned four Pro Bowl trips, one First Team All-Pro selection, and is a member of the Hall of Fame All-2010s Team.
Harris has ties on both sides of this AFC West rivalry, spending two seasons with the Chargers.
“This Chargers vs Broncos game is huge,” Harris posted on X on September 18. ”A lot at stake early in the season.”
Broncos-Chargers is a "double buckle" game – Dave Logan 😤
"I think anybody who coaches against Jim Harbaugh has that little competitive thing because he brings it out of people. He's a quirky dude." pic.twitter.com/WaOddFcwTI
— DNVR Broncos (@DNVR_Broncos) September 17, 2025
Harris faced the Chargers 17 times during his Broncos tenure, including one playoff game during the 2014 season. He played in 16 of those contests, with the postseason matchup among them.
Harris and the Broncos won five of those games.
Conversely, Harris was 2-2 with the Chargers against the Broncos, further underscoring LA’s recent upper hand in the rivalry.
Broncos Set to Face ‘MVP’ Justin Herbert
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers passes the ball against the Las Vegas Raiders.
The 2025 Broncos will not have it much easier than Harris’ squads, who went up against the Chargers with Philip Rivers at QB. These Chargers are led by Herbert, who Broncos defensive coordinator Vance Joseph called the “MVP” through two weeks of the season.
Joseph also called Herbert a “special athlete,” who is “playing at a high level right now.”
“He is accurate. He’s obviously a big man. So, he can see over the pressure. He’s escaping on major downs, second-and-long and third downs, to keep drives alive. So, how we rush this guy is going to be key. But how we cover the receiving targets and make him hold the ball is also going to be key,” Joseph told reporters on September 18.
“It’s a combination of rush and coverage to contain this quarterback. And, it’s a run-first offense. So, the balancing act between stopping the run and defending the pass is going to be critical.”
Justin Herbert in his last 4 regular-season starts 🔥
89 QBR74% Comp307 Pass YPG10 TD, 1 Int
Tonight on MNF, he has a chance to be the first player in 5 years to post an 80+ QBR in 5 straight starts (via @ESPNInsights) pic.twitter.com/g3lbRf9Utl
— NFL on ESPN (@ESPNNFL) September 15, 2025
Entering Week 3, the Broncos have allowed opposing QBs to complete 56.5% of their passes, the third-lowest mark in the league. The Broncos rank ninth in passing yards allowed, but there is reason for even more encouragement.
The Chargers’ QB has taken 5 sacks, while the Broncos are tied for the third-most sacks with 7.
Herbert has completed 72.1% of his passes for 560 yards, 5 touchdowns, and 0 interceptions through two games.
Justin Herbert Aware of Broncos’ Defense
GettyJustin Herbert #10 of the Los Angeles Chargers during warm ups before facing the Los Angeles Rams.
Herbert is not overlooking the Broncos. He is 5-4 against them in his career, though he swept them last season, completing 65.7% of his passes with a 2,199-13-7 line in those contests.
Herbert said the Broncos are a “very talented” and “really good defense.”
“They’re never really out of place. They’ve added a few pieces this year, and those guys have had huge roles in other teams,” Herbert told reporters on September 17. “You watch them, and they’re really well-coached. They fly around, they’re fast, and they get after the passer. I think they’re leading the league in sacks. So, that’s definitely something to be aware of.”
Nix – who posted a 479-4-1 line of 65.7% completion against the Chargers as a rookie – and the Broncos must be at their best to notch a victory in Week 3.
