Sam Hubbard Bio
Sam Hubbard (born June 29, 1995) is an American former professional football player who spent his entire seven-year career as a defensive end with the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). A Cincinnati native, he played college football at Ohio State before being selected by the Bengals in the third round of the 2018 NFL draft. Hubbard became known for his run defense, pass-rush ability, and his reputation as a respected team leader in the Cincinnati community.
Over the course of his NFL career, Hubbard appeared in 101 regular-season games, recording 38.5 sacks, 398 tackles, and three total touchdowns. He was a central figure on Bengals teams that reached Super Bowl LVI after the 2021 season and won an AFC Championship. He retired from the NFL in March 2025 after a career defined by durability, consistency, and a deep connection to his hometown franchise.
Early Life and Background
Sam Hubbard was born on June 29, 1995, in Cincinnati, Ohio, and grew up in the same city where he would eventually spend his entire professional career. He attended Archbishop Moeller High School, a well-known Catholic school in Cincinnati with a strong athletic tradition. While at Moeller, Hubbard was a multi-sport athlete, competing in both football and lacrosse.
On the football field, Hubbard played safety in high school and, as a senior, recorded 109 tackles and five interceptions. His performance drew national attention, and he was rated as a five-star recruit by Scout.com. He committed to Ohio State University to play college football, while also briefly holding a commitment to the University of Notre Dame for lacrosse, reflecting his versatility as a young athlete.
Path to American Football
Hubbard arrived at Ohio State in 2014 and redshirted his first year with the Buckeyes. As a redshirt freshman in 2015, he appeared in all 13 games and recorded 28 tackles along with 6.5 sacks, providing an early sign of his pass-rush potential. The following year, he started all 13 games as a redshirt sophomore and posted 46 tackles and 3.5 sacks.
In 2017, Hubbard played in 14 games as a redshirt junior and tallied 42 tackles and a career-high seven sacks, earning Second-team All-Big Ten honors. On December 30, 2017, he announced on Twitter that he would forgo his final year of eligibility and enter the 2018 NFL draft. He was widely projected as a first- or second-round pick and was ranked among the top defensive ends in his draft class.
Sam Hubbard Career
Early Career (2018–2019)
The Cincinnati Bengals selected Hubbard in the third round with the 77th overall pick in the 2018 NFL draft, making him the seventh defensive end taken that year. He signed a four-year, $3.61 million rookie contract and immediately contributed on defense. In his NFL debut against the Baltimore Ravens on September 13, 2018, he recorded his first career sack, taking down quarterback Joe Flacco for an 11-yard loss. As a rookie, he finished with 6 sacks, 39 tackles, and a fumble recovery touchdown.
In 2019, Hubbard opened the season with two sacks and a career-best 10 tackles against the Seattle Seahawks. He started 15 games and finished the year with 8.5 sacks, 76 tackles, and a forced fumble, establishing himself as a reliable every-down defensive end.
Cincinnati Bengals Breakthrough (2020–2021)
The 2020 season was disrupted by an elbow injury that sent Hubbard to injured reserve in October, limiting him to 13 games. He recorded 2 sacks and 62 tackles while continuing to develop his role as a leader on the Bengals’ defensive front. In July 2021, the Bengals rewarded his progress with a four-year, $40 million contract extension.
Hubbard’s 2021 season was the most memorable of his career. He recorded 7.5 sacks, 62 tackles, and a forced fumble, while playing a central role in Cincinnati’s run to the Super Bowl. In the AFC Championship Game against the Kansas City Chiefs, he strip-sacked Patrick Mahomes in the red zone, forcing a critical field goal in a 27–24 overtime win. In Super Bowl LVI against the Los Angeles Rams, Hubbard recorded eight tackles in a narrow 23–20 loss.
Cincinnati Bengals Later Years (2022–2024)
Hubbard continued to be a defensive cornerstone in 2022, finishing with 6.5 sacks and 60 tackles. In the Wild Card playoff round against the Ravens, he scored on a 98-yard fumble return, a play that became known as the “Fumble in the Jungle.” That touchdown set records for the longest fumble return in NFL postseason history and the longest go-ahead touchdown in the fourth quarter of a playoff game, sealing a 24–17 Cincinnati victory.
In 2023, Hubbard played 15 games with 6 sacks and 58 tackles. During the 2024 season, he scored his first career offensive touchdown on a two-yard reception from Joe Burrow, but a PCL injury cut his final campaign short. He finished 2024 with 2 sacks, 41 tackles, an interception, and a forced fumble.
Driving Style and Strengths
Hubbard was widely respected for his run-defense fundamentals, his power at the point of attack, and his disciplined pass-rush technique. Though he was not always a flashy sack producer, his consistency, motor, and ability to set the edge made him a foundational piece of the Bengals’ defense for seven seasons.
Notable Events and Milestones
Hubbard’s most iconic moment came in the 2022 Wild Card game with the record-setting 98-yard fumble return against Baltimore. He also appeared in Super Bowl LVI, recorded a 19-yard fumble recovery touchdown as a rookie, and logged 38.5 career sacks, becoming one of the most productive homegrown defensive linemen in Bengals history.
Sam Hubbard Career Wins
Although defensive ends are not measured by wins in the traditional sense, Hubbard accumulated key victories throughout his career, including a division-clinching win over the Browns in 2019, the AFC Championship upset of the Chiefs in 2021, and the 24–17 playoff victory over the Ravens in January 2023. He also helped the Bengals reach the postseason in three consecutive seasons from 2021 to 2023.
Other Wins & Performances
Beyond his on-field accomplishments, Hubbard was twice nominated by the Bengals for the Walter Payton NFL Man of the Year Award in 2021 and 2022, recognizing his extensive community work. In 2021, he founded the Sam Hubbard Foundation, which supports youth programs and conservation causes in the Greater Cincinnati area.
Sam Hubbard Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Sam Hubbard was raised in Cincinnati, Ohio, and has remained closely tied to his hometown throughout his life. He played football at Archbishop Moeller High School, a school with a long tradition of producing elite athletes. His upbringing in the Cincinnati community shaped both his playing style and his post-football priorities.
Personal Life
Hubbard married Jessica Koehler on April 12, 2025, shortly after announcing his retirement from the NFL. He is known for his philanthropic work through the Sam Hubbard Foundation, which he established in 2021. He has been recognized by the Bengals organization for his leadership and charitable contributions in the Greater Cincinnati region.
2025 Season Performance
Sam Hubbard did not play in the 2025 NFL season after announcing his retirement from professional football on March 5, 2025. His decision came amid reports that the Cincinnati Bengals were exploring a potential trade, prompting him to step away from the game on his own terms.
Although he stepped off the field, Hubbard remained connected to the Bengals organization and the Cincinnati community through his foundation and ongoing charitable efforts. His retirement marked the end of a seven-year career in which he appeared in 101 regular-season games and earned a reputation as one of the franchise’s most consistent defensive leaders.
Looking ahead, Hubbard’s post-playing focus is expected to center on his foundation work and his life in Cincinnati with his wife, Jessica Koehler, following their April 2025 wedding.