Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement Wednesday after seven seasons with the team. Hubbard, the longest-tenured player on the roster, expressed gratitude to teammates, coaches, and fans, emphasizing the team’s journey from struggles to Super Bowl LVI. The 29-year-old, who faced injuries last season, recorded 38.5 sacks in 104 games and was a four-time team captain. Drafted in 2018, Hubbard’s iconic plays included a memorable 98-yard fumble recovery. Bengals president Mike Brown praised him as both an outstanding player and community member, celebrating his lasting impact on the team and Cincinnati.
Veteran Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard announced his retirement on Wednesday after seven seasons with the team.
“I want to extend my heartfelt gratitude to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengals ownership, and the NFL for everything you have done for me,” Hubbard shared on social media. “I couldn’t have achieved any of this without you. To the fans — Who Dey Nation — thank you the most; your support motivated me. Through the years of challenges and triumphs up to Super Bowl LVI, you never wavered in your belief. I hope I have made you proud.”
“Playing my entire career in one uniform is incredibly meaningful to me, and I will always be a Bengal, now and forever.”
Hubbard, a Cincinnati native, holds the distinction of being the longest-serving player on the Bengals’ roster. He is the only player who predates the tenure of head coach Zac Taylor, who was brought on board in 2019.
His 2024 season came to a close in December after he sustained a torn PCL against the Tennessee Titans during his first career reception — a 2-yard touchdown catch in a 37-27 win.
Prior to that, Hubbard had also dealt with a Grade 3 hamstring injury incurred before the regular season commenced. Despite other injuries affecting the defensive line, Hubbard chose to push through the pain, concluding the season with two sacks across 14 games.
Wednesday’s retirement announcement arrives as the Bengals are purging veteran contracts in preparation for the upcoming free agency period starting next week.
At 29, Hubbard was poised to incur an $11.5 million salary cap hit in 2025. If the Bengals had released him, it would have resulted in a $9.5 million saving in cap space.
Hubbard played a crucial role in the Bengals’ remarkable transformation from a struggling team to Super Bowl contenders. From 2021 to 2023, he participated in 2,679 defensive snaps during both the regular season and playoffs, ranking as the second-highest among all defensive linemen in that timeframe, according to ESPN Research.
The Bengals drafted Hubbard in the third round of the 2018 NFL Draft. He amassed 38.5 sacks in 104 games and added four more sacks in seven playoff appearances. For the past four seasons, he was elected team captain.
“Sam will always be an integral part of the Bengals organization and the Cincinnati community,” Bengals president Mike Brown stated. “Having grown up here, he was a top youth athlete on local football and lacrosse fields before making his mark in football at Ohio State. We were fortunate to draft him in 2018, and we knew right away that we had acquired not only an exceptional player but also an even better person.”
“Sam embodies the ideal player characteristics — he’s a fantastic teammate, a skilled athlete, and a dedicated member of the community. He helped us achieve numerous victories and has made unforgettable plays over the years. His 98-yard fumble recovery touchdown in the Wild Card win over Baltimore is one of the most iconic plays in our franchise history. It has been an honor to watch him complete his entire NFL career with his hometown team. We are grateful for the memories he created as ‘Cincinnati’s Own.’
ESPN’s Ben Baby contributed to this report.