Bengals' Sam Hubbard retires from NFL at 29


The Cincinnati Bengals have franchise tagged Tee Higgins for the 2nd straight season. Craig Carton, Danny Parkins, and Mark Schlereth ask if he will get traded or re-signed.

Sam Hubbard, the longtime Cincinnati Bengals defensive end, announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday. He is only 29 years old and won’t turn 30 until June.

Hubbard announced his retirement in a statement posted to his social media channels.

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Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard waves to fans after beating the Las Vegas Raiders at Paycor Stadium in Cincinnati on Nov. 3, 2024. (Albert Cesare/The Enquirer/USA Today Network via Imagn Images)

"What’s next? Although it’s the end of my playing career, I view this as a new beginning," he said. "A new chapter to explore other business opportunities, further the mission of The Sam Hubbard Foundation, focus on my health and family and also take on a new challenge.

"I want to send a sincere thank you to my teammates, coaches, trainers, support staff, Bengals ownership and the NFL for everything you all have done for me. I could not have done any of this alone. To the fans – Who Dey Nation – I thank you the most; you inspired me. From the years of struggle and adversity to Super Bowl LVI, you never stopped believing. I hope I made you proud."

Hubbard was pure Ohio through and through.

Cincinnati Bengals defensive end Sam Hubbard during the Tennessee Titans game at Nissan Stadium in Nashville, Dec. 15, 2024. (Steve Roberts-Imagn Images)

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He was born in Cincinnati, played high school football for Archbishop Moeller and attended Ohio State. The Bengals selected Hubbard in the third