7-year Bengals tight end announces retirement from NFL

Former Cincinnati Bengals tight end C.J. Uzomah is calling it a career. Uzomah will officially retire as a member of the Bengals, according to Ari Meirov. It is a fitting conclusion for a player who spent most of his NFL career in Cincinnati and became a dependable piece of the team’s offense.

The Bengals selected Uzomah in the fifth round of the 2015 NFL Draft out of Auburn. He went on to play seven seasons in Cincinnati, primarily contributing as a secondary receiving option and reliable blocker at tight end.

His most productive campaigns came in 2018 and 2021. Uzomah recorded at least 42 receptions and 430 receiving yards in both seasons, combining for eight touchdowns in those two seasons. The 2021 season was particularly memorable because Uzomah helped Cincinnati make an unexpected run to Super Bowl LVI. His energy and leadership also made him a popular figure inside the Bengals’ locker room and among the team’s fans.

Uzomah left Cincinnati after that season and signed with the New York Jets. He spent two years in New York before joining the Philadelphia Eagles in 2024, although he did not appear in a regular-season game for Philadelphia.

He finishes his career with 16 receiving touchdowns and nearly a decade of NFL experience. Uzomah was never among the league’s most prolific tight ends, but he built a respectable career through consistency, versatility and leadership.

Retiring with the Bengals allows him to finish where his professional journey began — and where he made his greatest impact. He’ll always be remembered as a Bengal.