The Cincinnati Bengals’ hometown hero is staying home. Kevin Huber won the punting competition this offseason and will have a chance to make history in Week 1 of the 2022 season.
Huber, a 13-year vet, beat out undrafted free agent Drue Chrisman for the punting job this year following three very intense preseason matchups.
In the preseason, Huber averaged 43.6 yards per punt, downed three inside the 20, and logged a 50-yarder; Chrisman averaged 50.4 yards per punt, downed none inside the 20, and logged a 65-yarder.
Huber and Chrisman were reportedly neck-to-neck in the race and it was difficult to predict who would come out on top given each player’s specific skillset. Huber’s experience and know-how in the Bengals’ system ultimately trumped Chrisman’s powerful leg, and the long-time punter will return to his throne at the start of the 2022 season.
In a surprise move, the #Bengals are releasing Drue Chrisman, who had been in a punter competition, source said.
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) August 30, 2022
Kevin Huber can set a new record for most regular-season games played in Bengals franchise history
Born and raised in Cincinnati, Huber’s story is one that resonates deeply with Bengals fans as he enters his 14th season on the team.
Huber is currently tied with former cornerback Ken Riley for the most season games played as a Bengal, and if he steps onto the field in Week 1 against the Pittsburgh Steelers, he will officially have featured in a record-breaking 208 games.
Last season, Huber posted a respectable 46.4 yards per punt yet recorded a career-low longest punt of 61 yards. It’s not hard to see why the Bengals were considering a replacement for Huber in 2022 given his depleting leg strength, but Huber has nonetheless emerged yet again as the Bengals’ go-to punter set to become the team’s all-time leader in games played.
Barring any unforeseen setbacks, that record is his for the taking.