Drue Chrisman's Ongoing Quest for an NFL Roster Spot
Drue Chrisman, a talented punter who spent part of the 2022 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, has encountered a challenging road in his pursuit of a new NFL job. Since being cut by the Bengals in August 2023, Chrisman has engaged in a relentless search for a new team, characterized by multiple tryouts and some unique, albeit controversial, social media moments.
One of those moments came on August 13, when Chrisman was invited to a tryout with the Washington Commanders. Eager to share his journey with his followers, Chrisman released a detailed video five days later that chronicled his experience. The video offered a behind-the-scenes look at the highs and lows of attempting to secure a spot on an NFL roster.
In a particularly candid segment of the video, a Commanders assistant coach informed Chrisman that the team had no plans to sign him. This raw and unfiltered insight into the often opaque world of NFL tryouts resonated with many fans and aspiring athletes. However, not everyone appreciated Chrisman's transparency. The Commanders' legal team soon contacted him, requesting the video's removal from public view.
"The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," shared one source. Despite the request, Chrisman stood his ground and kept the video online, further highlighting the tension between athletes' desires to connect with fans and teams' preferences for privacy.
This wasn't the first time Chrisman had documented his journey. Earlier in the month, he released a similar video showcasing his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Notably, the 49ers did not react to the content Chrisman shared in the same manner as the Commanders, indicating differing organizational policies and tolerance levels regarding personal media.
Chrisman's professional journey has been far from straightforward. In 2022, he posted impressive numbers, averaging 42.6 net yards per punt for the Bengals, ranking 10th overall in the league. Despite his evident skill, the Bengals decided to release him in August 2023 as they navigated their roster decisions ahead of the new season.
Seeking to stay active and showcase his talent, Chrisman signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in April. Unfortunately, this stint proved to be short-lived; Chrisman was released by the Stallions in May after filling in for the injured Colby Wadman.
Currently a free agent, Chrisman continues to navigate the unpredictable landscape of professional football. His journey underscores the volatility inherent in the careers of even the most skilled specialists in the league. While his future remains uncertain, Chrisman's determination and willingness to share his experiences publicly have earned him a following and perhaps, in time, another opportunity to prove his worth on the field.
As Chrisman presses on, his story serves as a reminder of the hurdles that athletes often face behind the scenes and the resilience required to persevere in the competitive world of professional sports.