Ex-Husky TE Drew Sample Earns Bengals Contract Extension
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University of Washington tight ends remain a valuable NFL commodity.
On Monday, the Cincinnati Bengals announced they have re-signed former Husky Drew Sample to a 3-year, $10.5 million contract extension as he comes off five seasons with the Ohio franchise.
Sample's 2023 receiving numbers don't necessarily jump out at you — 22 catches for 163 yards and 2 touchdowns — but he has built a lasting reputation for becoing an exceptional blocker as well as a reliable pass-catcher.
In his pro football career, the 6-foot-5, 255-pound Sample from Bellevue, Washington, has accumulated 80 catches for 621 yards and 3 scores.
It was veteran players such as him that enabled the Bengals to post a 9-8 record last season and have a modicum of success with former Husky and back-up Jake Browning at quarterback after Cincinnati lost marquee player Joe Burrow to a season-ending injury.
Sample was a second-round pick and the 52nd player taken for the Bengals in the 2019 NFL draft.
At the UW, he caught 46 passes for 487 yards and 5 TDs in his career while playing in 2015-18. In his UW career, he shared the tight-end position group with players such as Will Dissly, Cade Otton, Hunter Bryant, Jack Westover and Devin Culp, all eventual pros or now headed to the NFL.
Dissly, however, is seeking a new team after the Seattle Seahawks recently released him.
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