Drue Chrisman, a proficient punter who spent part of the 2022 NFL season with the Cincinnati Bengals, has found himself in an arduous quest to secure a new team. Despite his commendable performance last season, Chrisman faced a series of trials and tribulations that have left him currently unattached in the professional football world.
After the Bengals released Chrisman in August 2023, the punter has eagerly pursued opportunities to showcase his skills to other NFL franchises. His journey over the past 12 months has seen him trying out for multiple teams, hoping to find a stable role where he could leverage his talent. One marked episode in his career unfolded on August 13, when Chrisman was invited to try out with the Washington Commanders. In a bid to share his experiences and offer fans a glimpse into the life of an NFL hopeful, Chrisman released a video detailing his tryout with the Commanders just five days later.
The video was candid, capturing moments of anticipation, effort, and ultimately, rejection. A poignant segment features a Commanders assistant coach delivering the news to Chrisman that the team did not plan to sign him. This raw honesty offered viewers a window into the harsh realities faced by professional athletes.
However, the Commanders' legal team quickly intervened, reaching out to Chrisman and requesting that he remove the video from public view. According to sources, "The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it." Despite this legal nudge, Chrisman decided to keep the video up, standing by his decision to share his journey with his audience.
This wasn’t the first time Chrisman had chronicled his tryout experiences. Earlier in the month, he released a similar video featuring his time with the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, the 49ers did not react to Chrisman's content in the same manner as the Commanders, showcasing a distinct difference in how teams handle personal disclosures by players.
The 2022 season saw Chrisman achieve noteworthy success with the Bengals, where he averaged 42.6 net yards per punt. This performance ranked him tenth overall in the league, underscoring his capabilities as a valuable special teams player. Despite this, the Bengals opted to part ways with Chrisman in August 2023, leaving him to navigate the uncertainty of free agency.
Chrisman's professional journey has also intersected with the United Football League (UFL). In April, he signed with the Birmingham Stallions, only to be released a month later after filling in for the injured punter Colby Wadman. This brief stint added another layer to Chrisman's winding path through the world of professional football.
Despite the setbacks, Chrisman remains unwavering in his pursuit of an NFL job, maintaining his focus and resilience as he continues to train and await the next opportunity. For now, he stands as a free agent, ready and hopeful for the chance to once again demonstrate his punting prowess on the NFL stage.