CINCINNATI — The Bengals have plenty of new faces in free agency, partially because multiple key players left to sign elsewhere.
They replaced Hayden Hurst with Irv Smith Jr. They added Nick Scott to help make up for the loss of Vonn Bell and were preparing for Jessie Bates’ departure last year when they took Dax Hill in the first round.
The one loss that they haven’t filled is the backup running back spot.
Samaje Perine played a key role for the Bengals last season, running for 394 yards and two touchdowns. He also hauled in 38 receptions for 287 yards and four scores.
The 27-year-old ultimately accepted a contract from the Broncos, even though the Bengals offered him a similar two-year, $7.5 million deal.
“I felt like it was time for me to branch out and start something new, to try to make even more of a name for myself with a new program,’’ Perine told Chris Tomasson of The Denver Gazette. “I just felt it was time for me to make a name for myself wanting to do more offensively just because I didn’t know what they were going to do with Joe (Mixon). Obviously, he’s still a great back.”
Mixon is set to make over $10 million in 2023 and has a $12.7 million cap hit. His future is uncertain, but Perine knew he would always be second fiddle to a player making that type of money.
“I know how it goes when you’re paying your lead guy X amount of money, so they’re going to get their work out of him,” he said. “You know good stuff happens when Joe touches the ball, but I just didn’t want to get stuck in that cycle that he’s getting 75, 80, 90 percent of the touches and just stuck with leftovers on third down.”
Perine joins Sean Payton in Denver, who has a history of utilizing two running backs. The Broncos have Javonte Williams on the roster, but he’s still recovering from a torn ACL. They signed Perine to stabilize things with Williams making his way back. The duo should compliment each other well.
