Gary Brightwell

Gary Brightwell Jr. (born February 28, 1999) is an American professional football running back for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He has previously played in the NFL for the New York Giants and Cleveland Browns. He played college football for the Arizona Wildcats.

Gary Brightwell Jr.

No. 44 – Cincinnati Bengals
Position:	Running back
Personal information
Born:	(1999-02-28) February 28, 1999 (age 26) Chester, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Height:	6 ft 1 in (1.85 m)
Weight:	218 lb (99 kg)
Career information
High school:	Saint Frances Academy (Baltimore, Maryland)
College:	Arizona (2017–2020)
NFL draft:	2021: 6th round, 196th pick
Career history
New York Giants (2021–2023) Jacksonville Jaguars (2024)* Cleveland Browns (2024) Cincinnati Bengals (2024–present)*
* Offseason and/or practice squad member only
Roster status:	Active
Career NFL statistics as of 2023
Rushing attempts: 41 Rushing yards: 164 Rushing touchdowns: 1 Receptions: 11 Receiving yards: 92 Return yards: 555 Stats at Pro Football Reference

Early life

Gary graduated in 2017 from St. Frances Academy in Baltimore. His senior season he served as team captain and was First-team all-conference and first-team All-State MIAA. He averaged 6.7 yards per carry as a senior rushing for 519 yards and eight touchdowns on 78 carries.^[1]

College career

In his time at Arizona, Brightwell rushed for over 1,300 yards and had nine rushing touchdowns.^[2]

Professional career

Pre-draft measurables

Height	Weight	Arm length	Hand span	40-yard dash	10-yard split	20-yard split	20-yard shuttle	Three-cone drill	Vertical jump	Broad jump	Bench press
5 ft 10+3⁄4 in (1.80 m)	218 lb (99 kg)	31 in (0.79 m)	9+3⁄8 in (0.24 m)	4.58 s	1.62 s	2.62 s	4.48 s	7.51 s	34.5 in (0.88 m)	9 ft 10 in (3.00 m)	17 reps
All values from Pro Day[3][4][5]

New York Giants

Brightwell was selected by the New York Giants in the sixth round, 196th overall, of the 2021 NFL draft.^[6] On May 13, 2021, Brightwell officially signed with the Giants.^[7] On December 30, 2021, Brightwell was placed on injured reserve after suffering a neck injury.^[8]

Brightwell had his first career rushing touchdown in Week 5 against the Green Bay Packers in the 27–22 victory.^[9] In the 2022 season, Brightwell appeared in all 17 games. He totaled 31 carries for 141 rushing yards and one rushing touchdown.^[10]

Brightwell entered the 2023 season third on the running back depth chart. He suffered a hamstring injury in Week 7 and was placed on injured reserve on October 28, 2023.^[11] He was waived with injury designation on May 30, 2024.^[12]

Jacksonville Jaguars

On August 3, 2024, Brightwell signed with the Jacksonville Jaguars.^[13] He was waived on August 27.^[14]

Cleveland Browns

On August 29, 2024, Brightwell was signed to the Cleveland Browns practice squad.^[15] He was promoted to the active roster on September 21.^[16] Brightwell was waived by the Browns on October 1, and re-signed to the practice squad.^[17] He was released on October 29.^[18]

Cincinnati Bengals

On November 11, 2024, the Cincinnati Bengals signed Brightwell to their practice squad.^[19] He signed a reserve/future contract on January 7, 2025.^[20]

Personal life

Brightwell's father was murdered at a gas station when Brightwell was five months old, his older sister was killed in a car crash when he was a senior in high school and his grandmother who taught him how to play football died just weeks before the NFL draft.^[21]