Latest Cincinnati Bengals free agent departure leaves just one final player from last year’s roster looking for a new contract
Former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cam Sample is off to the San Francisco 49ers, leaving linebacker Brian Asamoah as the only unsigned Bengal from 2025.
After exactly a month of NFL free agency, former Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Cam Sample has a new team.
Sample is signing a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
Cincinnati drafted Sample in the fourth round of the 2021 NFL Draft. He played in 67 career games (five starts) for the Bengals, including six postseason contests. He recorded 92 tackles and eight sacks in Cincinnati.
The Bengals also selected nose tackle Tyler Shelvin and offensive tackle D’Ante Smith in the fourth round of the 2021 draft. Sample ended up playing in a combined 52 more contests (including playoffs) than Shelvin and Smith.
Sample was largely a rotational player for Cincinnati’s defensive line. He re-signed with the club in 2025 after missing all of 2024 with an injury he suffered in training camp.
The Bengals allowed Sample to test free agency again, and this time, he’s on a new team.
Cincinnati is at 70 rostered players after signing cornerback Ja’Sir Taylor, safety Kyle Dugger, and waiving center Matt Lee. Sample was one of two free agents still unsigned from last year’s roster, meaning there’s just one still out there.
Brian Asamoah is the last Bengals free agent left standing
The Bengals signed linebacker Brian Asamoah in the middle of last season. He was added to the practice squad on Oct. 30, days before Cincy’s Week 9 game against the Chicago Bears. He was elevated off the practice squad for that contest, and signed to the active roster on Nov. 10.
Asaomah, originally a third-round pick of the Minnesota Vikings in 2022, played in four games for the Bengals during the second half of the 2025 season. He never took a snap on defense, but did play 58 snaps on special teams.
Cincinnati actually hasn’t done anything at the LB position since extending the contracts of Joe Giles-Harris and Shaka Heyward on Jan. 5. A free agent addition was expected, but never materialized. The Bengals are expected to address the position in the upcoming 2026 NFL draft.
For now, Asamoah will look for a new opportunity while Cincinnati continues preparing for the next phase of the offseason.