Former Cincinnati Bengals running back Samaje Perine has opened up a little bit about his departure from the team in free agency.
As previously noted, Perine says uncertainty about his role and a desire for more playing time were big factors in his decision to sign with the Denver Broncos despite the Bengals offering a similar deal for him to return.
“I just felt it was time for me to make a name for myself wanting to do more offensively just because I didn’t know what they were going to do with Joe (Mixon). Obviously, he’s still a great back,” Perine said, according to Chris Tomasson of the Denver Gazette. “‘I know how it goes when you’re paying your lead guy X amount of money, so they’re going to get their work out of him, I don’t blame him.”
Perine also said he didn’t want to just be stuck with limited third-down reps if Mixon returns as the lead back next year.
Looking at it broadly, neither party looks at fault or bad here. The Bengals weren’t in a position to promise Perine he would see more usage next season, not with Mixon on the roster and the draft upcoming. Perine couldn’t just wait around, especially with the Broncos offering similar money and promising a bigger role.
As always, the Bengals remain a candidate to take a running back early and potentially move on from Mixon if something about his contract doesn’t change.
