It has been a tumultuous year for punter Drue Chrisman. The athlete, who spent part of the 2022 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, has seen the ups and downs of professional football firsthand. After being cut by the Bengals in August 2023, Chrisman has been focused on securing a new position in the NFL. However, his journey has not been without its challenges.
A Punter's Journey
Chrisman has been actively trying to find a new team over the past 12 months, participating in tryouts with multiple NFL teams. On August 13, he found himself auditioning for a spot with the Washington Commanders. Five days later, Chrisman released a video detailing his experience at the tryout. The video, which offered an inside look at the behind-the-scenes process, took an unexpected turn. A Commanders assistant coach informed Chrisman that the team did not plan to sign him.
Legal Entanglement
The release of this video did not go unnoticed. "The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," said one source. Despite the request from the Commanders, Chrisman chose to keep the video online, creating a minor stir within the NFL community. This incident contrasted sharply with another video Chrisman released earlier in the month, showcasing his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, the 49ers did not react to the content in the same manner, highlighting a difference in team policies or approach to public disclosures.
Performance and Potential
In 2022, Chrisman demonstrated his skills as a punter with the Bengals, averaging 42.6 net yards per punt and ranking 10th overall in the league for that year. Despite this solid performance, the Bengals decided to release him in August 2023, leaving Chrisman in search of a new opportunity.
Briefly, Chrisman's path took him to the Birmingham Stallions of the UFL. He signed with the Stallions in April but was released in May after filling in for injured punter Colby Wadman. Since then, Chrisman has remained a free agent, looking for the right fit in what can be a highly competitive marketplace for NFL specialists.
The Road Ahead
For Chrisman, the journey is far from over. While the Commanders and 49ers tryouts did not yield contracts, his determination remains unwavering. By sharing his experiences through videos, Chrisman offers fans and aspiring athletes a transparent view into the often opaque world of professional tryouts. His resilience and openness in documenting his journey set him apart in a field where discretion is often paramount.
As the NFL season progresses, Chrisman continues his pursuit of a team that can benefit from his punting prowess. With his solid track record and unique approach to sharing his journey, it may only be a matter of time before he finds his place once again on an NFL roster.