As the Cincinnati Bengals' rookie minicamp got underway at Paycor Stadium, seventh-round tight end Jack Endries made it pretty clear he had not forgotten how long he had to wait during the 2026 NFL Draft.

FOX19’s Jeremy Rauch reported Endries had recently signed a four-year rookie contract worth around $4.55 million. However, the coverage was not the biggest thing drawing attention. It was about the message he had sent to the league.

“Every team who passed on me, I’m going to go out there with a little more hatred towards them,” Endries said.

Endries explained his "competitive rage" had started back in his Litte League Baseball and has stayed with him throughout his football career. The rookie also discussed his connections with quarterbacks like Arch Manning and Fernando Mendoza.

Some analysts believed that the Cleveland Browns was a potential landing spot for Endries. They believed Endries would be selected with their 149th pick in the fifth round, according to mock draft reports.

One thing that stood out during the minicamp was the solidarity between the Bengals' rookie class. This had become a talking point after last year's offseason drama, including edge rusher Shemar Stewart and his contract situation.

The focus this time stayed on football, reps, and rookies getting comfortable in head coach Zac Taylor's system. For players like Jack Endries, it meant getting started to work to prove his naysayers wrong in the upcoming season.

Jack Endries’ Journey to the Bengals

Before landing with the Bengals, Jack Endries had already built one of the most impressive collegiate careers among tight ends in the 2026 draft class.

According to College Football Reference, Endries finished his collegiate career with 124 receptions, 1,376 yards, and seven touchdowns across 39 games.

In 2024, he became a reliable option for Mendoza in the California Golden Bears football team. He led the team with 56 receptions and 623 yards, earning Honourable Mention All-ACC honors.

After entering the transfer portal in 2025, he joined the Texas Longhorns football team, catching passes from Arch Manning. He caught three touchdowns during his lone season in Austin, which was the highest touchdown total in his collegiate career.

According to a report from The Athletic, Endries had only one drop across his final two seasons combined. With reliable hands and a quick understanding of various offenses, Endries looks forward to become the TE1 for the Bengals in the upcoming season.

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Written by

Debanjali Rakshit

Edited by

Rishab Nandi