Lengel redshirted his freshman year in 2009 at Northeastern University before transferring to Eastern Kentucky the following year, after Northeastern shut down its football program. He played in 37 games over five seasons (2010–2014), totaling 33 catches for 361 yards. He suffered a torn ACL in the 2012 season opener and missed the entire season. He re-injured the same knee the following year after starting the first two games in 2013.
Lengel signed with the Cincinnati Bengals as an undrafted free agent on May 8, 2015.[3] He was released on September 5, 2015, and was signed to the practice squad the next day, where he spent his entire rookie season.[4][5] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Bengals on January 11, 2016.[6]
Lengel was released by the Bengals on September 3, 2016, and was signed to the practice squad during the next day.[7][8]
On November 2, 2016, Lengel was signed by the New England Patriots off the Bengals' practice squad after the Patriots lost tight end Rob Gronkowski to injury.[9]
On December 24, 2016, Lengel caught his first career touchdown on his first career reception against the New York Jets, on an 18-yard pass from Tom Brady.[1][10] On January 1, 2017, Lengel caught his second career catch from Tom Brady that went for four yards. He finished up the regular season in 2016 with two catches for 22 yards and a touchdown.[11] The Patriots finished the season with a 14–2 record, which earned the team the top seed in the AFC playoffs. On February 5, 2017, Lengel was part of the Patriots team that won Super Bowl LI. In the game, the Patriots defeated the Atlanta Falcons by a score of 34–28 in overtime.[12]
Lengel was tendered by the Patriots on March 7, 2017.[13] He was waived/injured on August 27, 2017, and placed on injured reserve.[14] He was released on September 30, 2017, with an injury settlement.
On April 13, 2018, Lengel was claimed off waivers by the Houston Texans.[18] He was waived on September 1, 2018, and was signed to the practice squad the next day.[19][20]
On November 25, 2019, Lengel was signed by the Indianapolis Colts.[22] He was waived on December 4, 2019.[23] He signed a reserve/future contract with the Colts on December 30, 2019.[24] He was released on July 28, 2020.[25]
