Former Washington Huskies tight end Drew Sample signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension on Monday to stay with the Cincinnati Bengals. The native of Bellevue, Washington has spent his entire career in Cincinnati after the organization took him in the second round in the 2019 NFL draft.
During Sample’s time on Montlake, he played in 51 games totaling 46 receptions for 487 yards and 5 touchdowns while earning an All-Pac-12 honorable mention following his senior season.
The 6-foot-5, 256-pound tight end has been a solid contributor to head coach Zac Taylor’s blocking scheme. While he didn’t see the field much during his rookie season, he had his best year in 2020 where he recorded 40 receptions for 349 yards and a touchdown during quarterback Joe Burrow’s first season.
After a heartbreaking loss to the Los Angeles Rams in the Super Bowl to end the 2021 season, Sample didn’t see much of 2022 following a knee injury in week two against the Dallas Cowboys that ended his season prematurely.
Before the start of the 2023 season, he signed a one-year extension worth $1.2 million and quickly became the Bengals’ top tight end after Irv Smith Jr. was lost for the year. He also became a reliable safety valve for former Husky quarterback Jake Browning, who assumed the starting role after Burrow suffered a season-ending wrist injury.
Sample’s ability as a blocker could fit well new offensive coordinator Dan Pitcher’s plans, which seems to be signified by the team’s investment in him through 2026, and his stat line could benefit from Burrow’s return.