The former Ohio State defensive end announced his retirement from the NFL on Wednesday after seven seasons in the league, all with his hometown Cincinnati Bengals.

In his retirement announcement, Hubbard said he “gave this game, this team, and this city everything that I had” and that he views his retirement “as a new beginning,” allowing him “to explore other business opportunities, further the mission of The Sam Hubbard Foundation, focus on my health and family and also take on new challenges.”

pic.twitter.com/sXKKCsNksG

— Sam Hubbard (@Sam_Hubbard_) March 5, 2025

Had Hubbard chosen to continue playing, he was expected to hit the free-agent market for the first time in his career, as the Bengals were expected to release him due to his cap hit of more than $11 million for the 2025 season. By choosing to retire instead, Hubbard leaves the NFL having played his entire career with the Bengals after growing up in Cincinnati.

“To play my entire career in one uniform is incredibly special to me, and I am a Bengal for life, always have been and always will be,” Hubbard said in his statement.

To: The Cincinnati Kid

Thank you, @Sam_Hubbard_ pic.twitter.com/vBfPvUeVR3

— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) March 5, 2025

In seven NFL seasons, Hubbard recorded 398 total tackles, 55 tackles for loss, 38.5 sacks, 16 pass deflections, six forced fumbles, five fumble recovers and one interception. His most famous play as a Bengal came in the 2023 NFL playoffs, when he set an NFL playoff record with a game-winning 98-yard fumble return touchdown against the Baltimore Ravens.

Sam Hubbard takes the fumble 98 yards for the TD

: #BALvsCIN on NBC
: Stream on NFL+ https://t.co/hNJJJGqxGF pic.twitter.com/PoVImXrfpz

— NFL (@NFL) January 16, 2023

Hubbard also scored a touchdown on the final play of his NFL career. Used occasionally as a tight end this past season, Hubbard caught a touchdown pass against the Tennessee Titans in Week 15. That wasn’t expected to be his last play as a Bengal at the time, but Hubbard suffered a season-ending knee injury on the play, making it the final play of his football career.

SAM HUBBARD TOUCHDOWN CATCH! pic.twitter.com/rFFAdhwEae

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 15, 2024