Samaje Perine

Career StatsD+

Year	Team	GP	Yards	TD	YPC
Career		119	2,304	12	4.1
2025		15	382	3	4.5
2024		17	92	1	4.6
2023		17

Current Contract

Contract Value Index (CVI)

The C- Contract Value Index on Samaje Perine's deal stems from how the cap hit lines up against on-field output. At $1.8M AAV over two years, this is a league-minimum-adjacent contract reflective of his actual role—a veteran backup operating on the margins of Cincinnati's offensive scheme. His 2025 season saw minimal offensive impact (87 receiving yards across 15 games), which squares with the D+ performance grade and reinforces that he is a depth piece rather than a primary weapon. At 30 years old in his ninth NFL season, Perine sits firmly in the established-veteran-to-declining phase, where backup running backs command modest deals tied strictly to experience and locker-room value rather than production upside. The CVI acknowledges that while his contract poses zero cap burden to the Bengals, it also reflects zero expectation of meaningful offensive contribution—a fair-value exchange for a reliable reserve who knows the system and maintains professionalism without needing rebuilding time. Cincinnati's recent additions at multiple positions suggest organizational focus elsewhere, which further validates Perine as a complementary piece rather than part of any significant offensive equation heading into 2026. This deal carries no red flags and no hidden value; it is what it appears to be: an economical retention of a steady veteran backup in a tight market for reserve-role players.

Contracts in the Same Value Band

Other same-position deals the Contract Value Index also places in the C band — a quick read on where Samaje's contract sits relative to comparable money.

Performance Analysis

Production at RB earns Samaje Perine a D+ performance grade in the current sample. The 30-year-old veteran operates well below the tier of featured offensive weapons, functioning instead as a complementary reserve whose 2025 season output—87 receiving yards across 15 games—reflects a depth role rather than consistent offensive impact. His receiving production of 87 yards represents his most reliable counting stat from last year, though that total underscores the limited volume he commands in Cincinnati's attack. The critical weakness is the minimal ground-game contribution and lack of offensive touches overall; at nine seasons into his career, Perine has transitioned from potential early-round contributor to situational backup, a trajectory typical of mid-tier draft picks who never quite developed into featured backs. His durability—appearing in all 15 games—does speak to reliability and availability, hallmarks of a professional reserve, but the overall offensive output does not move the needle for Cincinnati's championship aspirations. The Bengals' recent offensive acquisitions, including fellow RB Jamal Haynes, signal the organization views this backfield as an area requiring depth reinforcement, cementing Perine's secondary role heading into 2026.

How Samaje Compares at the Position

Samaje Perine ranks 122nd of 175 graded running backs by performance. That slots Samaje between Ty Chandler (C-) just ahead and Kendall Milton (D+) just behind.

Current Sentiment

Samaje Perine carries a **C- sentiment grade**, reflecting the muted public perception surrounding a veteran backup running back in his ninth NFL season. The media frames him as a complementary piece in Cincinnati's offensive hierarchy, operating with the low-profile professionalism typical of reserve-level players who neither excite nor concern stakeholders. His modest contract aligns with realistic expectations for a backup role, while the absence of recent news coverage suggests he maintains steady, controversy-free presence without standout performances warranting significant attention. Beat writers and coaching staff likely respect his experience and reliability, though he generates minimal buzz in wider fan circles given his limited offensive impact. The overall perception remains neutral-to-slightly-positive, characteristic of a dependable veteran contributor who fills his role competently without moving the needle for Cincinnati's championship aspirations.