Chrisman's Journey After Bengals Cut
Drue Chrisman, the former punter for the Cincinnati Bengals, has been navigating tumultuous waters since being cut from the team in August 2023. After a season where Chrisman demonstrated formidable skills—averaging 42.6 net yards per punt and securing a top-10 spot among league punters in 2022—his career took an unexpected turn.
Post-release, Chrisman was relentless in his pursuit of another NFL opportunity, trying out for various teams over the past 12 months. On August 13, he found himself vying for a spot with the Washington Commanders. Five days later, Chrisman released a video detailing his experiences during the tryout, a decision that sparked some controversy.
Commanders' Reaction and Request
In his video, Chrisman depicted an unvarnished look behind the scenes, including an encounter with a Commanders assistant coach, who candidly informed him that the team had no intention of signing him. It was a moment of transparency that resonated with many, but not with the Commanders' legal team. "The Commanders' legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," sources revealed.
Despite the legal team's request, Chrisman chose to keep the video up, standing by the authenticity and transparency of his experiences. This move highlighted the friction between player autonomy and organizational control within the NFL, sparking multiple discussions among fans and analysts.
Contrasts with 49ers Experience
Intriguingly, this wasn't the first time Chrisman had shared his tryout journey online. Earlier in the month, he posted another video, this time chronicling his experience with the San Francisco 49ers. Unlike the Commanders, the 49ers did not take issue with Chrisman's public documentation of the tryout, signifying a differing organizational stance on such matters.
The contrasting reactions between the Commanders and the 49ers underscore the diversity of approaches NFL teams have towards media and player expression. While some organizations may embrace the transparency and engagement that such videos can foster, others are clearly more guarded.
Stint with Birmingham Stallions
Adding another chapter to his story, Chrisman had signed with the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL in April. However, his tenure there was short-lived. Brought in to replace the injured Colby Wadman, Chrisman was released just a month later, once again plunging him into free agency.
Chrisman's journey is a testament to the volatile nature of professional sports careers, where even well-established talents find themselves grappling with unexpected challenges. As he remains a free agent, Chrisman's determination and resilience are clear—from pursuing multiple tryouts to publicly sharing the highs and lows of his professional endeavors.
As the sporting world continues to evolve, so too do the narratives of athletes like Chrisman. His experiences reflect a broader dialogue about transparency, control, and the evolving role of social media in professional sports.