The Bengals brought running back Samaje Perine back into the fold during free agency after he previously over three seasons with the team between 2019 and 2022. Here are five facts to know about the Bengals new back.
1. Playoff Hero
Perine will forever be enshrined in Bengals lore thanks to his performance in the AFC Championship during the Bengals 2021 run to the Super Bowl. Perine took a screen pass 41 yards to the house to kickstart Cincinnati's comeback to a 27-24 overtime win and finished with three catches for 43 yards in the game.
2. Dual Threat
Despite not being used as a receiver early in his career, Perine has become a pass-catching expert as his career has gone on. After recording 21 receptions his first two seasons with Washington, he tallied 78 receptions with the Chiefs and Broncos the last two years. He tallied more catches (28) than carries (20) with Kansas City and caught 50 balls with Denver in 2023.
3. Collegiate Legend
Perine is the all-time leader in rushing yards in Oklahoma University history despite playing just three seasons at the college level. He had more career rushing yards as a Sooner than NFL legend Adrian Peterson. Perine also holds the NCAA single-game rushing record, torching the Kansas Jayhawks for 427 yards on the ground as a freshman in 2014.
4. Veteran Presence
Perine is entering his ninth year in the NFL after being drafted in the fourth round by Washington in 2017.
5. Family Ties
Perine is not the only successful athlete in his family tree: Samaje's cousin La'Mical Perine was a starting running back at the University of Florida and was drafted in the fourth round by the New York Jets in 2020.
Re-live some of the best photos of Samaje Perine with the Bengals as he returns to Cincinnati.
Cincinnati Bengals' Samaje Perine celebrates after running for a touchdown during the first half of an NFL football game against the Cleveland Browns, Sunday, Dec. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) rushes during an NFL divisional round playoff football game Sunday, Jan. 22, 2023, in Orchard Park, NY. (AP Photo/Matt Durisko)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) makes a catch against the Dallas Cowboys in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Dec. 13, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine plays against the Tennessee Titans during an NFL football game Sunday, Nov. 1, 2020, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) rushes for a first down against the Houston Texans during the first half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) plays against the Jacksonville Jaguars in the second half of an NFL football game in Cincinnati, Sunday, Oct. 4, 2020. (AP Photo/Aaron Doster)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) is tackled by Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Arthur Maulet (35) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Sep. 11, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Kirk Irwin)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) celebrates after a 46-yard touchdown run against the Houston Texans during the second half of an NFL football game Sunday, Dec. 27, 2020, in Houston. (AP Photo/Sam Craft)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) in action against Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 9, 2022, in Baltimore. (AP Photo/Rich Schultz)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) evades Pittsburgh Steelers linebacker Myles Jack (51) and stiff arms Pittsburgh Steelers cornerback Levi Wallace (29) on his way to a touchdown during the second half of an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 20, 2022, in Pittsburgh. (AP Photo/Gene J. Puskar)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) runs during an NFL football game, Sunday, Dec. 4, 2022, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) is pushed out of bounds short of the goal line by Baltimore Ravens linebacker Patrick Queen (6) during a wild-card playoff NFL football game, Monday, Jan. 16, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Jeff Dean)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) runs the ball for a touchdown against the Tennessee Titans in an NFL football game, Sunday, Nov. 27, 2022, in Nashville, Tenn. Bengals won 20-16. (AP Photo/Jeff Lewis)
Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine (34) carries the ball against Baltimore Ravens safety Chuck Clark (36) in the second half during an NFL football game, Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, in Cincinnati. (AP Photo/Emilee Chinn)
