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Former Cincinnati Bengals edge rusher Cam Sample has signed a one-year deal with the San Francisco 49ers.
It’s no secret, the Cincinnati Bengals are in need of help along the front seven. In particular, finding someone who can consistently rush the passer. Despite that, the team just lost one of its veteran edge rushers in free agency.
Cam Sample, who had previously spent his entire career with the Bengals, agreed to terms on a new contract with the San Francisco 49ers. It’s a one-year deal where the exact financial terms are not yet known. Tom Pelissero reported the signing.
The Bengals are now lacking much depth among pass rushers. Their edge rushers are highlighted by Boye Mafe, Shemar Stewart, and Myles Murphy. The hope is that at least one of those players can develop and become very productive in the next year. However, they’re lacking rotational pieces, with only Cedric Johnson realistically able to help in that role.
Looking at the Time Cam Sample Spent With the Cincinnati Bengals
GettyCincinnati Bengals defensive end Cam Sample
Cam Sample was a fourth-round pick in the 2021 NFL Draft, after he had been a star for the Tulane Green Wave. He has since spent his entire professional career with the Cincinnati Bengals.
Injuries would hamper Sample’s development with the Bengals. In particular, he suffered a torn Achilles in 2024, which would cost him the entire season. Despite that, in March of 2025, he would re-sign with the Bengals on a one-year deal. Now, he’ll be moving on.
For his career, Sample has played in 61 games and made 5 starts. 14 of those games and 2 of those starts came in 2025, following his Achilles injury. Sample has 85 total tackles, including 7.0 sacks and 8 tackles for a loss. He has also forced a fumble during his career.
How Can the Cincinnati Bengals Replace Cam Sample?
GettyCincinnati Bengals GM Duke Tobin
Now the task for the Cincinnati Bengals is going to be to find a way to replace Cam Sample. The edge was already a position of concern for the Bengals, which they were going to need to address.
There are two basic options for the Bengals at this point. The first is to address his departure through free agency. Despite how long the window to sign free agents has been open, there are still plenty of options to choose from. The biggest of those names is Joey Bosa.
If Bosa ends up being too expensive, then there are a few other options as well. Cameron Jordan, for instance, is going to be a potential veteran presence to bring into the locker room.
Then, the NFL Draft is another option, which the Bengals are expected to heavily pursue. In fact, there is a chance that they use the No. 10 overall pick to address those concerns. Certainly, that was an expectation that analyst Todd McShay recently shared, explaining that Cincinnati is a likely landing spot for Rueben Bain.
“It becomes interesting if Bain is sitting there at 10,” McShay said. “Is that their edge? And it certainly could be.”
Even if the Bengals go another direction with the No. 10 overall pick, there are still going to be several opportunities throughout the draft to address their needs at the edge. It’s just a matter of finding players who are going to fit in with this current roster.
Dan Morrison After graduating from UMass in 2019, Dan Morrison quickly began a career in sports journalism and digital media. That has seen him work both as a contributing writer at several publications, as well as spending time on the National News Desk at On3. During that time, he has spent the majority of his time covering football, both at the college and NFL levels. Currently residing in Central Florida, his focus with Heavy is on the NFL. More about Dan Morrison
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