The Buccaneers have signed free agent wide receiver Louis Murphy to a one-year contract, the team announced today.. Murphy, who visited the Bucs last week, also met with the Bengals before reaching an agreement with Tampa Bay.
A former University of Florida standout, Murphy returns down south after spending the first five years of his NFL career with the Raiders, Panthers, and Giants. The fourth-round pick got off to a strong start in Oakland, grabbing 75 balls for 1,130 yards and six touchdowns in his first two seasons with the team, but has played an increasingly diminished role in offenses since then. At age 26, Murphy has bounce-back potential, and could contribute as an occasional deep threat off the bench in Tampa Bay.
Although the Bucs have been very busy in free agency over the last two weeks, adding players like Josh McCown, Michael Johnson, Anthony Collins, and Alterraun Verner, Murphy is the first receiver signed by the team since free agency opened. The club will likely look to further fortify the position in free agency or the draft over the next couple months.