NFL veteran tight end Drew Sample signed a new contract with the Cincinnati Bengals. Sample, a former second-round pick, spent the entirety of his professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Bengals have re-signed free agent TE Drew Sample to a one-year contract.
— Adam Schefter (@AdamSchefter) April 14, 2023
Drew Sample, Cincinnati Bengals, Agree to Contract
The 2022 season was one to forget for Drew Sample. While the Cincinnati Bengals themselves had a great season, Sample had very little to do with the team’s overall success. The tight end suffered a knee injury in Week 2, knocking him out for the entirety of the season. In total, Sample finished his contract year with just two receptions for -2 yards on two targets.
Drew Sample originally entered the NFL as a second-round pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. Selected by the Cincinnati Bengals, the tight end spent the majority of his rookie season buried on the depth chart behind C.J. Uzomah. As if that wasn’t enough, he also suffered a season-ending injury late in the season, limiting him to just nine games played on the year. While on the field, the rookie recorded just five catches for 30 yards on six targets.
Despite the slow start to his career, Sample took a big step in Year 2. With Uzomah missing most of the season to injury, the Washington product had perhaps the best season of his career. Playing in all 16 games while making 13 starts, Sample finished the 2020 season with 40 receptions for 349 yards and one touchdown on 53 targets, with most of those looks coming from a rookie Joe Burrow.
Uzomah returned to the lineup in 2021 which, along with the addition of Ja’Marr Chase, meant that Sample had fewer opportunities. When all was said and done, Sample finished the season with 11 receptions for 81 yards on 15 targets.
Since signing his rookie contract, Drew Sample has played in 44 games while making 25 starts. While on the field, the tight end has recorded 58 receptions for 458 yards and one touchdown on 76 targets.
Main photo: Gary Vasquez – USA Today Sports
