Bengals bring back a familiar face after he turned them down two years ago and now they're getting a discount
The Cincinnati Bengals' first external addition to the team is also a reunion.As first reported by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, the Bengals are signing running back Samaje Perine to a two-year deal worth up to $3.8 million. Perine joined the Bengals originally back in 2019 as a waiver wire claim right before the regular season. […]
The Cincinnati Bengals' first external addition to the team is also a reunion.
As first reported by NFL Media's Mike Garafolo, the Bengals are signing running back Samaje Perine to a two-year deal worth up to $3.8 million.
Perine joined the Bengals originally back in 2019 as a waiver wire claim right before the regular season. He earned a larger role in 2020 and signed a two-year, $3.3 million deal in the 2021 offseason, establishing himself as RB2 behind Joe Mixon for the next two years.
From 2021-22, Perine ran for 640 yards and three touchdowns on 150 attempts. He also racked up 483 yards and five touchdowns as a receiver on 65 receptions. Add on over 100 reps in pass protection, and he was relied on no matter the down and distance.
Cincinnati wanted him back in 2023, but the Denver Broncos swooped in and signed him to a two-year, $7.5 million deal. He only lasted in Denver for a year before being released leading up to the 2024 season. The Kansas City Chiefs signed him and kept him on the roster throughout their quest to win a third consecutive Super Bowl.
Bengals' quest to bring Perine back ends after two-year wait
When the Bengals pursued to extend Perine in 2023, the sense was they expected to get him back.
“Now Samaje Perine, they made an aggressive play for, and I think they were surprised that he opted to go to Denver,” The Athletic's Paul Dehner Jr. said that March. “I think they felt like that was one they were going to get done. They were willing to go just about anywhere within reason.”
It sounded like the Bengals made a competitive offer to Perine back then, which was notably more than what they just agreed to Monday afternoon. Perine chose the Broncos for a larger role in Sean Payton's offense instead.
But the Bengals clearly continued to value Perine after he left, and when they got the opportunity to sign him with a hole at running back, they took advantage. Zack Moss is still on the team, but his neck injury clouds his future going forward. That combined with Cincinnati's history with Perine suggests he'll be given the same role he had when he was last here.
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