Attacking wide midfielder, comfortable on either wing, Jacob Murphy joined Norwich as an Under-12 in 2006. He played for Pitshanger as a schoolboy and won trials at Fulham and Spurs. He spent a brief spell with Chelsea before joining QPR.

On 31st March 2011, it was announced that he and eight others, including twin brother Joshua, would join Norwich's Academy in the summer of 2011. Academy manager Ricky Martin said: “I would like to wish all nine boys the best of luck and hope they enjoy long and successful careers at Norwich City.”

Along with twin brother Josh, Jacob made his debut for England's Under-18s in October 2012 against Italy, coming on as substitutes. On 13th November, the Twins made their England Under-19 debuts playing in a 1-0 win over Finland, with Jacob starting and Joshua coming on as substitue.

Jacob and Josh signed professional contracts with Norwich until the end of the 2014/15 season on 4th January 2013. Norwich City manager Chris Hughton told the club’s official website: “I’m absolutely delighted to have secured the futures of Jacob and Josh at Norwich City. They’ve shown that they have great potential and have certainly earned these contracts with their hard work. We only give out contracts when we feel that they have been earned, and this is certainly the case with Jacob and Josh.They’re both exciting players and more importantly they are good lads who we’re pleased to have at this football club.”

Jacob added: “It’s the biggest day of my life. It’s a really good achievement for me and Josh both, so I’m delighted. For Josh last year it was great to get on the bench for the Doncaster game in the Capital One Cup, and then for us both playing for England was really good, and this is a great way to start 2013 by signing professional deals.”

Jacob celebrated by scoring a hat-trick for Norwich's reseves against Kings Lynn Town on 5th January 2013 in the Norfok Senior Cup

Jacob played in both FA Youth Cup semi-final matches against Notts Forest which the Canaries won to progess to the FA Youth Cup final. He also played in both legs of the final which the Canaries won 1-0 and 3-2 against Chelsea to secure victory in the FA Youth Cup for the first time in 30 years.

Then part of the Norwich City Under-21 Development Squad, Jacob made his Norwich City debut, coming on for his brother in the 1-1 FA Cup Third Round clash with Fulham at Carrow Road on 4th January 2014.

He joined Swindon on a month's loan on 7th February 2014. He made his debut on 8th February coming on as a 63rd minute substitute in the 3-2 win at Port Vale. He made seven appearances for Swindon before returning to Carrow Road.

On 27th March 2014, Murphy was loaned to Southend until the end of the season, joining Jamar Loza at Roots Hall. He made his debut as substitute on 29th March in a 1-0 win over Torquay.

On 3rd November 2014, Jacob joined Blackpool on loan until 3rd February 2015. "Jacob's very versatile in the front part of the pitch," said manager Lee Clark, whose side are bottom of the Championship, "He can play on the left, right, in off the striker or as a second striker. He's got an abundance of pace and great attacking ability."

Murphy hit the headlines on 29th December 2014 when a picture was leaked from his SnapChat account showing him and teammate Donervon Daniels before their match against Sheffield Wednesday on Boxing Day, with the caption "We are going to lose... Again". Murphy apologised for being unprofessional but the loan was terminated and he returned to Norwich.

On 8th January 2015, he joined Scunthorpe on a 28 day loan deal along with Leicester striker Tom Hopper. He made three starts before returning to Norwich on 11th February 2015.

He was loaned to Colchester on 14th March 2015 until the end of the 2014/15 season, making his debut in the 3-2 home defeat to Crawley on 14th March. He scored five goals in 11 appearances for Colchester

On 14th August 2015, he was loaned to Coventry for the 2015/16 season. he scored 10 goals in 42 appearances for the Sky Blues.

On 29th June 2016, the Pink Un reported that Norwich's Championship rivals Reading and Preston were both keen on signing Murphy.after his impressive loan spell at Coventry.

Jacob was called up to the England Under-21 squad on 20th March 2017 for the games against Germany and Denmark. he had scored 10 goals for Norwich in the 2016/17 season at the time of his call-up.

Jacob ended the season with 40 appearances and 10 goals. He joined England Under-21s for the European Championship finals in Poland in June 2017. He started in the opening game with Sweden which finished 0-0 but was substituted.he came on and played a key role in the 2-1 win over Slovakia and retained his place for the game against Poland which England won 3-0 with Murphy scoring England's second.

His form for England and Norwich led him to be linked with moves to West Brom, Crystal Palace, Southampton and Swansea according to the Daily Mirror on 22nd June 2017. After two earlier bids from Newcastle were rejected, a third bid was accepted on 19th July 2017. Murphy was keen to join the club he supported as a child and after passing a medical, signed for them. Norwich received an undisclosed fee, speculated at being £12million including add-ons.

In late January 2019, it was reported that Murphy was the prime target in the transfer window for West Brom, Murphy has been on the fringes at Newcastle having made 43 appearnaces, scoring once but only three starts had come in the 2018/19 Premier League campaign. Murphy joined the Baggies on loan on 31st January 2019 along with Jefferson Montero (Swansea) and Stefan Johansen (Fulham). "All three will give the team different dimensions. All three have excellent experience and a real know-how of the division. They are good players with individual skill sets which will benefit the team. All are wonderful characters which everyone knows is so important to us" said head coach Darren Moore

Murphy was loaned out again on 8th August 2019 joining Sheffield Wednesday on a one year loan.

On 14th August 2020, it was speculated by the Northern Echo that Murphy might be loaned to Norwich for the 2020/21 season with Middlesbrough and Brentford also linked. On 14th April 2021 Football Insider reported that Southampton were keen on signing Murphy with a reported asking price of £3million.Murphy has featured 24 times for Newcastle this season, scoring three times. Watford and Rangers are also reported to be interested. On 18th May Leeds, Burnley and Southampton were reported by The Sun as keeping an eye on Murphy's future at Newcastle.

Murphy re-established himself as an important member of the Newcastle squad and made his Champions League debut against AC Milan on 19th September 2023.