Drew Sample

Drew Sample's Biography

Drew Sample, an American professional footballer born on April 16, 1996, currently plays as a tight end for the Cincinnati Bengals, a team in the National Football League (NFL). Before rising to NFL fame, his football journey started in college, where he played for Washington. In his college career, Sample compiled a commendable record that attracted the attention of NFL scouts, catalyzing his eventual selection by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft.

As an integral part of Washington’s team during college, Sample received passes totaling 46 across four seasons, covering 487 yards and resulting in five touchdowns. His senior year saw him make strides in his performance; he received 25 passes for 252 yards, which brought about three touchdowns. His exemplary skills and performance that year earned him an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 Conference team.

Joining the Cincinnati Bengals post-college, Sample was picked 52nd overall in the 2019 NFL draft’s second round. Despite starting as the third tight end on the depth chart, falling behind C. J. Uzomah and Tyler Eifert, Sample made his NFL debut by recording his first career catch in a game against the San Francisco 49ers during Week 2. However, his first season experienced an unfortunate ending as an ankle injury placed him on injured reserve on December 7, 2019. He ended the season with a record of five catches covering 30 yards through two starts in nine games.

His subsequent seasons witnessed an expansion in gameplay due to an injury to Uzomah that abruptly ended his season. The 2020 season saw him participate in all 16 games, starting 13. He experienced a career-best season, managing 40 receptions that spanned 349 yards, including a touchdown in a game against the Houston Texans during Week 17.

The 2021 season continued the trend of Sample’s increased involvement in games. He appeared in all 17 games, eight as a starting player, serving as the team’s blocking tight end and occasional fullback. He concluded the regular season with 11 receptions covering 81 yards. Despite this seemingly minimal output, Sample proved instrumental in the playoffs, aiding the Bengals’ path to Super Bowl LVI by recording one catch for four yards against the Kansas City Chiefs in the AFC Championship Game.

Sample kicked off the first two games of the 2022 season as the Bengals’ leading blocking tight end. However, a knee injury in Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys concluded his season prematurely. After spending the rest of the season on injured reserve, Sample extended his contract with the Bengals for one year on April 14, 2023.

Following this contract renewal, Sample was designated as the second tight end on the depth chart, falling behind Irv Smith Jr. Still, injuries to Smith Jr skyrocketed him to prime playing time immediately. Despite receiving only two touchdown passes that season, one each against the Buffalo Bills and the Pittsburgh Steelers, Sample ended the 2023 season on a positive feat with 163 yards and 22 receptions to his name.

With an impressive continuous performance, Sample signed a substantial contract extension on March 11, 2024. The three-year deal was reported to be worth $10.5 million which committed Drew Sample to the Cincinnati Bengals up to the 2026 season. Sample’s intriguing story of his rise to NFL stardom offers a compelling narrative of perseverance and hard work despite occasional setbacks due to injuries.