Drue Chrisman, the former Cincinnati Bengals punter, has had a tumultuous few months as he seeks to secure a spot with an NFL team. After spending part of the 2022 season with the Bengals, Chrisman was released in August 2023 and has since been trying out for multiple teams, hoping to find a new home on an NFL roster.
Chasing Opportunities
One of Chrisman's most recent tryouts was with the Washington Commanders on August 13. Despite his efforts, the outcome was not what he had hoped for. In a video released five days after the tryout, Chrisman shared his experience, including a particularly poignant moment when a Commanders assistant coach informed him that the team wouldn't be signing him.
However, the fallout from the video extended beyond just a personal disappointment. The Commanders' legal team quickly contacted Chrisman, requesting that he take down the video. Despite this request, Chrisman decided to keep the video up for his followers and fans to see. "The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," according to one source.
Comparative Reactions
This isn't the first time Chrisman has shared his journey through video. Earlier in the month, he posted a similar video showcasing his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, the 49ers did not react to the content in the same manner as the Commanders did, highlighting a difference in organizational approaches to such public disclosures.
Past Performance and Current Status
Chrisman's career statistics are nothing to scoff at. In 2022, while playing for the Bengals, he averaged 42.6 net yards per punt, ranking him 10th overall in the league for that year. Despite these promising statistics, the Bengals released him in August 2023, setting him on his current path of uncertainty and constant hustle.
In April, Chrisman signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. His tenure there was, unfortunately, short-lived, as he was released in May after filling in for injured punter Colby Wadman. Now, as he remains a free agent, Chrisman finds himself at a crossroads, balancing the uncertainty of free agency with the determination to continue his professional career.
Looking Ahead
As Chrisman navigates this challenging chapter of his career, his transparency and willingness to share his experiences with the public offer a rare glimpse into the day-to-day life of an NFL hopeful. His journey underscores the reality of professional sports, where even talented players like Chrisman can face uphill battles in securing and maintaining their positions.
For now, the punter remains unrelenting in his pursuit of an NFL job, ready to seize the next opportunity that comes his way. Whether or not his public documentation of these experiences will affect future prospects remains an open question, but one thing is certain: Drue Chrisman is not leaving the arena without a fight.