Bengals Player Profile: Cashius Howell’s very first training camp should now be even busier for him
Cincinnati Bengals EDGE Cashius Howell is going to get even more practice and preseason reps leading up to the season with Shemar Stewart on the mend. Howell should firmly be in the top four of the rotation when Week 1 rolls around.
We’re 26 days away from the Cincinnati Bengals’ preseason finale against the Philadelphia Eagles. Each and every day until the end of the preseason, a member of the Bengals’ 90-man roster will receive a profile page. Check out previous player profiles here.
The next player in the series was the first pick the Bengals made in this year’s draft.
Cashius Howell Player Profile
Age: 23
Year: Rookie
Position: Defensive end
College: Texas A&M
Jersey Number: 55
Cashius Howell was selected No. 41 overall in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft by the Bengals. Prior to the NFL, Howell spent five years at the collegiate level. He started out at Bowling Green for three years (2021-23), playing 26 games in two years after redshirting. He racked up 28 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, 9.5 sacks, and one forced fumble in his lone season starting for the program.
Texas A&M landed Howell as a transfer in 2024, joining forces with Shemar Stewart for a season. He started the final game of the year and recorded a sack and his first-career interception in the Las Vegas Bowl. The Aggies started him for all of 2025 and he completely broeke out. He earned first-team All-American (AP) and first-team All-SEC honors as well as being named SEC Defensive Player of the Year. He ended up with 31 tackles, 14 tackles for loss, and 11.5 sacks.
Contract details
Howell signed a four-year, $12,008,000 rookie contract with the Bengals, the first fully guaranteed contract for a second-round pick in franchise history. His base salary for 2026 is the minimum $885,000. He’s also getting $5,193,092 as a signing bonus, making his cash figure for the year $6,078,092. His salary cap hit will be $2,183,273.
Roster outlook
Cincinnati made a statement drafting Howell instead of a cornerback or linebacker like many prognosticated. The need to solidify the pass rush was strong throughout the offseason. Snagging the reigning SEC DPoY in the second round was too enticing to pass up.
Howell started training camp behind Shemar Stewart, but with Stewart now rehabbing a hyperextended knee, he’s going to get even more practice and preseason reps leading up to the season. He should firmly be in the top four of the EDGE rotation when Week 1 rolls around.
Roster odds: 100%