Samaje Perine returns to Bengals

Samaje Perine is rejoining the Cincinnati Bengals.

Following his brief stints with the Denver Broncos and Kansas City Chiefs, Perine is returning to the Bengals on a two-year deal worth $3.8 million, according to NFL Network insider Mike Garafolo.

This comes after there was an earlier report from Aaron Wilson that Perine was signing a three-year contract with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers worth $22 million, so he won’t get ‘quite’ that much in Cincinnati.

Perine originally had spent years with the Bengals from 2019-22 before leaving to sign with the Broncos in 2023. He was released prior to the 2024 season and signed with the Chiefs.

In 17 regular-season games this past season, Perine ran for 92 yards and one touchdown on 20 attempts while catching 28 balls for 322 yards and a score. In three playoff games, he had one run for seven eight and one catch for 17 yards.

For the season, Perine earned a respectable 67.2 Pro Football Focus grade,

Now, Perine will be the backup to starter Chase Brown following his breakout season in Cincinnati. That is, assuming the Bengals cut Zack Moss, which was already likely before, and now it’s almost a lock to happen with Perine’s return.

Khalil Herbert, Trayveon Williams, and Chris Evans are also free agents, so the Bengals actually need several more running backs to fill out the offseason roster. Kendall Milton and Gary Brightwell are also on the offseason roster, but they’re more training camp depth until proven otherwise.