Cleveland Browns give former Belleville West kicker the boot, Bengals quickly claim him
The Cincinnati Bengals have claimed Austin Seibert, a former Belleville West football star, a day after he was released by the Cleveland Browns.
NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero and Mike Garafolo reported Tuesday that Seibert, 23, is joining the Cincinnati Bengals via a waiver claim.
The Bengals (0-1) play at Cleveland (0-1) on Thursday in an AFC North Division contest. Reached by phone Tuesday morning, Seibert said he was unable to comment on his release or any pending deal.
Seibert, who was taken by Cleveland in fifth round of the 2019 NFL Draft, was released by the Browns on Monday after missing an extra point and 41-yard field goal attempt in a 38-6 loss to the Baltimore Ravens.
One of the top kickers in NCAA Division I history at the University of Oklahoma, Seibert enjoyed an excellent rookie season a year ago, converting on 25-of-29 field goal attempts and leading Cleveland to a 6-10 season.
Selected to the Pro Football Writers Association all-rookie team, Seibert was the Big 12 Conference Special Teams Player of the Year as a senior in 2018. Seibert ended his Sooners career as the leading scorer in school and Big 12 Conference history with 499 points. He also ranks first among FBS kickers with 499 points, first in extra points with 310 and first in extra point attempts with 315.
The Browns elevated Cody Parkey from the practice squad to replace Seibert.
This story was originally published September 15, 2020 at 12:18 PM.
