Bengals: The key factor that drove Samaje Perine to the Broncos
Retaining running back Samaje Perine was an expectation for the Cincinnati Bengals. His value to the offense showed itself time and time again throughout the 2022 season. The Denver Broncos swooping in and signing Perine to a similar deal the Bengals offered him was a surprise to Cincinnati. In Perine's own words, it was head […]
Retaining running back Samaje Perine was an expectation for the Cincinnati Bengals. His value to the offense showed itself time and time again throughout the 2022 season.
The Denver Broncos swooping in and signing Perine to a similar deal the Bengals offered him was a surprise to Cincinnati.
In Perine's own words, it was head coach Sean Payton and his tendencies as a coach that made his decision to go out west a "tad easier."
Perine said not only the honesty from the organization was welcoming, but Payton's history of frequently using multiple running backs that influenced him.
“What it came down to, really, was how up front Denver was with me as far as playing time and what Coach Payton wants to do with me, personally, and what he wants to do as an offense,” Perine told the Denver Post. “The first time I talked with Coach Payton when everything opened up — (on Wednesday), that first day — the thing he really emphasized was his history of using multiple backs, using two backs in his time with the Saints and going through the history of the backs he’s had."
Payton, who took the year off from coaching last season, established himself as one of the better offensive minds during his 16-year run with the New Orleans Saints. Running backs like Mark Ingram, Darren Sproles, Pierre Thomas, and Alvin Kamara all thrived in his system that continuously utilized multiple tailbacks with Drew Brees at quarterback.
That track record is tantalizing for any running back looking for a bigger opportunity.
Perine's role in Cincinnati wasn't necessarily to split carries with Joe Mixon, rather take on certain responsibilities he was better fit to handle in comparison. And with Mixon still rostered with a cap hit of nearly $13 million, one wonders if Perine believed his role wouldn’t expand with Mixon still around.
The Bengals got a lot out of Perine for over three full years. Now he'll look for a bigger share of the pie with Payton.
