The Cincinnati Bengals are considered one of the best all-around teams in the NFL, with a bright future ahead with superstar quarterback Joe Burrow under center.
Although the Bengals came short in the playoffs last year, the team is expected to be a force to be recognized with for the foreseeable future as long as the franchise addresses areas of need every single year.
One of those areas of need this year is at the tight end position, and the team has taken a step toward addressing that need with the addition of Drew Sample.
We have re-signed unrestricted free agent TE Drew Sample to a one-year contract for the 2023 season.
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) April 14, 2023
The Bengals drafted Sample in the second round of the NFL Draft out of the University of Washington in 2019.
Despite using a second-round pick on Sample, the Washington product hasn’t lived up to expectations thus far in Cincinnati, and it’s kind of surprising that the team would bring him back after playing in only two games this past season.
Sample’s best season with the Bengals came in 2020 when he played in 16 games, catching 40 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown.
These aren’t eye-popping numbers from the tight end, but the Bengals clearly like Sample and want to give him another shot at making an impact in Cincinnati.
Sample will likely play behind starter Irv Smith Jr. during the 2023 NFL season but may have more opportunities to become a reliable weapon on the gridiron for Burrow.
The Bengals offense is as stacked as ever, with Burrow having all sorts of weapons at his disposal in 2023 with Joe Mixon, Ja’Marr Chase, Tyler Boyd and Tee Higgins leading the way.
NEXT:
Bengals RB Envisions ‘Bigger Role’ In 2023
