Drue Chrisman, a punter with notable potential, has experienced a tumultuous year in the NFL. After spending part of the 2022 season with the Cincinnati Bengals, where he averaged 42.6 net yards per punt and ranked 10th overall in the league, his future has been anything but stable.
Chrisman’s journey hit a rough patch in August 2023 when he was cut by the Bengals. Since then, he has been making concerted efforts to secure a position with another NFL team, trying out for multiple teams over the past 12 months.
Tryouts and Tribulations
One of his notable recent tryouts was with the Washington Commanders. On August 13, Chrisman participated in a tryout session with the Commanders, an opportunity he later detailed in a video he released five days later. In this candid video, Chrisman shared the highs and lows of his experience, including a poignant moment when a Commanders assistant coach informed him that the team didn’t plan to sign him.
The video quickly caught attention, drawing an unexpected reaction from the Commanders’ legal team. "The Commanders legal team apparently called up Chrisman and asked him to delete it," reported one source. Despite the request, Chrisman chose to keep the video online, standing by his right to share his personal journey.
Differing Reactions
This wasn’t the first time Chrisman had given fans a behind-the-scenes look at his professional trials. Earlier in the month, he released a similar video showcasing his tryout with the San Francisco 49ers. Interestingly, the 49ers did not react to Chrisman's content in the same way as the Commanders, highlighting a variance in how teams handle transparency and media portrayal by players.
A Bumpy Road
The last year has been notably unsettled for Chrisman. After his release from the Bengals in August 2023, he briefly joined the Birmingham Stallions of the United Football League (UFL) in April. Unfortunately, this stint was short-lived, as he was released in May after filling in for injured punter Colby Wadman. Chrisman now remains a free agent, continuing his quest to find a permanent spot on an NFL roster.
As Chrisman persists in his professional journey, his transparent approach to sharing his experiences sets him apart. It opens up conversations about the challenges athletes face behind the scenes and brings a humanizing element to the often opaque world of professional sports.
While his future in the NFL remains uncertain, Drue Chrisman's determination and willingness to share his story demonstrate resilience and a unique perspective on the road to success in professional football. His journey continues to unfold, and both fans and critics alike will be watching to see where his path leads next.