Losing their starting tight end in free agency for a second straight offseason, the Bengals may be looking to add at the position in the draft, but they brought back one of their previous high picks at the position Friday as well.
Drew Sample is returning to Cincinnati on a one-year deal, according to the team. The Bengals used a second-round pick on Sample back in 2019, and the former C.J. Uzomah and Hayden Hurst backup/blocking specialist will outlast both in Ohio. Hurst signed with the Panthers — on this year’s most lucrative free-agency tight end deal — early in free agency.
An early-season knee injury, which required surgery, limited Sample to two games last year. Prior to this Bengals reunion, Sample visited the Cardinals. Rather than join a retooling team with Zach Ertz and Trey McBride in the fold, he will stay in Cincy’s Joe Burrow-piloted offense. Sample will now join Irv Smith Jr. in the Bengals tight end room; the former Vikings second-round pick signed with the Bengals this offseason.
Sample, who will turn 27 on Sunday, has not factored in to the Bengals passing attack prominently since arriving as the No. 52 overall pick four years ago. The 6-foot-4 tight end has only topped 100 receiving yards in one season, but he did play 868 offensive snaps during the 2020 slate, topping out with 40 catches for 349 yards and his only career touchdown. Since, Sample has just 13 receptions.
The Bengals have predominantly used the former Washington performer in the run game. Sample worked extensively as a blocker during his rookie contract. Although it is not certain Joe Mixon will be back for a seventh season, the Bengals plan on having Sample helping Mixon or his replacement find running room in 2023.
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