Drew Sample Bio
Drew Sample (born April 16, 1996) is an American professional football tight end and fullback for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). Standing 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) and weighing approximately 260 lb (118 kg), he is listed at jersey number 89 and serves primarily as a blocking specialist within the Bengals offense. He played college football for the Washington Huskies and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round of the 2019 NFL draft with the 52nd overall pick.
Throughout his career with the Bengals, Sample has excelled as a blocker and has contributed heavily as both a blocking tight end and fullback. After Sam Hubbard announced his retirement on March 5, 2025, Sample became the longest-tenured active member of the Bengals.
Early Life and Background
Drew Sample was born on April 16, 1996, in Bellevue, Washington, a suburban city on the east side of the Seattle metropolitan area. Growing up in the Pacific Northwest, he developed an early interest in football through local youth programs and the strong regional football culture in Washington State.
He attended Newport High School in Bellevue, where he played tight end and began attracting attention from college recruiters. His size, hands, and blocking instincts made him a promising prospect on the West Coast recruiting trail.
Path to American Football
Coming out of Newport High School, Sample drew interest from several college programs and ultimately committed to the University of Washington, staying in his home state to play for the Washington Huskies. He spent four seasons in the Pac-12 Conference, developing into a reliable tight end prospect.
During his time at Washington, Sample caught 46 passes for 487 yards and five touchdowns across four seasons. As a senior, he caught 25 passes for 252 yards and three touchdowns, earning him an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 Conference team. His combination of size, blocking, and receiving ability made him an attractive second-round prospect in the 2019 NFL draft.
Drew Sample Career
Early Career (2019)
Sample was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals in the second round with the 52nd overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft. He began his rookie season as the third tight end on the depth chart, behind C. J. Uzomah and Tyler Eifert. He made his first career catch in Week 2 against the San Francisco 49ers, a small but meaningful early milestone in his professional career.
He was placed on injured reserve on December 7, 2019, with an ankle injury, ending his rookie campaign. Sample finished the season with five catches for 30 yards through nine games and two starts, learning the offense and refining his blocking role within the Bengals scheme.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2020-2021)
Sample received significantly more playing time in 2020 after C. J. Uzomah suffered a season-ending injury. Sample played in all 16 games and started in 13, stepping into a much larger role. He caught 40 passes for 349 yards and a touchdown, with the score coming in Week 17 against the Houston Texans, establishing himself as a reliable contributor in the passing game.
In the 2021 season, Sample appeared in all 17 games, starting in 8 of them, and finished the regular season with 11 receptions for 81 yards. During the Bengals’ playoff run en route to Super Bowl LVI, he recorded one catch for 4 yards in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Sample primarily contributed to the Bengals as a blocking specialist, helping the offensive line in both the run game and pass protection.
Cincinnati Bengals Era (2022-Present)
Sample started the first two games of the 2022 season, where he was once again heavily used as a blocker. In Week 2 against the Dallas Cowboys, Sample suffered a season-ending knee injury and was placed on injured reserve on October 3, 2022. The injury interrupted what had been his most established stretch as a starter.
On April 14, 2023, Sample re-signed with the Bengals on a one-year contract. He was named the second tight end on the depth chart behind Irv Smith Jr., but saw starting time after Smith injured his hamstring in Week 2 against the Baltimore Ravens. Sample caught two touchdown passes in 2023, one in Week 9 against the Buffalo Bills, and the other in Week 12 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, his first touchdowns in three years. He finished the season with 163 yards, 22 receptions, and a touchdown. Sample was graded by the analytics website Pro Football Focus as the eighth best blocking tight end in the league during the 2023 NFL season.
On March 11, 2024, Sample signed a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension with the Bengals through the 2026 season. During the 2024 season, Sample recorded 20 receptions on 22 targets for 109 yards and 1 touchdown and recorded one rushing attempt for a loss of 4 yards. When defensive end Sam Hubbard, who was drafted by the Cincinnati Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft, announced his retirement on March 5, 2025, Sample became the longest-tenured active member of the Bengals. During the 2025 season, Sample recorded 15 receptions on 20 targets for 106 yards and 1 touchdown and recorded one rushing attempt for a gain of 3 yards.
Driving Style and Strengths
Sample is best known for his work as an in-line blocker at the tight end position, where his size, hand technique, and willingness to engage defenders at the point of attack have made him a valuable asset in both the run game and pass protection. He has also been used as a fullback, showcasing his versatility as a lead blocker. While not a primary receiving threat, Sample has shown reliable hands and the ability to contribute in short-yardage and red zone situations when called upon.
Notable Events and Milestones
One of the defining moments of Sample’s career was his role in the Bengals’ run to Super Bowl LVI following the 2021 season, where he contributed as a blocker and recorded a catch in the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs. Becoming the longest-tenured active member of the Bengals in 2025 marked another significant milestone, reflecting his durability and consistency since being drafted in 2019.
Drew Sample Career Wins
As a tight end and fullback whose primary value comes from blocking rather than statistical production, Drew Sample’s career wins are reflected in team success, contract extensions, and individual recognition rather than traditional individual accolades. His role has helped the Cincinnati Bengals field a competitive offense in the AFC.
Cincinnati Bengals Highlights
Sample’s most notable team accomplishment came during the 2021 season, when he helped the Bengals reach Super Bowl LVI as part of the AFC Championship-winning roster. He has also earned a three-year, $10.5 million contract extension signed on March 11, 2024, reflecting the organization’s confidence in his long-term value as a blocker and team leader. His Pro Football Focus ranking as the eighth best blocking tight end in the league during the 2023 NFL season highlighted his continued impact in the trenches.
Other Wins and Performances
At the college level, Sample earned an honorable mention on the All-Pac-12 Conference team following his senior season at the University of Washington, a recognition that helped solidify his draft stock heading into the 2019 NFL draft. He was selected in the second round, 52nd overall, marking one of the higher draft selections for a Washington Huskies tight end in recent memory.
Drew Sample Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Public information about Drew Sample’s immediate family is limited, and he is widely known for keeping his personal life out of the spotlight. He grew up in Bellevue, Washington, and attended Newport High School, where his football development began.
Personal Life
Sample has largely kept his personal life private, with limited public information about a spouse, children, or other family members. His professional focus and longevity with the Cincinnati Bengals have defined his public profile since entering the NFL in 2019.
2025 Season Performance
The 2025 season marks a significant chapter for Drew Sample, who became the longest-tenured active member of the Cincinnati Bengals following Sam Hubbard’s retirement announcement on March 5, 2025. This distinction underscores his stability, leadership, and consistent presence in the Bengals locker room since being drafted in 2019.
Through the early portion of the 2025 season, Sample recorded 15 receptions on 20 targets for 106 yards and 1 touchdown, and recorded one rushing attempt for a gain of 3 yards. His receiving totals reflect his continued use in short-area passing concepts and red zone opportunities, while his blocking remains his primary contribution to the offense.
With a contract that runs through the 2026 season and an established role as both a tight end and fullback, Sample’s outlook with the Bengals remains steady. His combination of experience, blocking ability, and locker room leadership positions him as a steady contributor for Cincinnati’s offensive scheme in 2025 and beyond.
