Cashius Howell just made every Bengals fan breathe a sigh of relief after participating in first day of rookie minicamp
Cincinnati Bengals rookie EDGE Cashius Howell is not holding out from practicing while his rookie contract is being negotiated. Howell has signed the participation waiver to practice with his new team.
Cincinnati Bengals rookie EDGE Cashius Howell participated during the first day of rookie minicamp despite him not signing his rookie contract.
Cincinnati watched last year’s first-round pick, Shemar Stewart, sit out of the entire offseason program before signing his rookie deal during the beginning of training camp. It doesn’t sound like Howell is going to take the same approach despite being unsigned unlike most of his fellow draftees.
“I love football,” Howell said after his first day to reporters. “At the end of the day, regardless of the negotiations still being intact, I love football, so I’m ready to do everything that I can in my power to put myself in the best position to go out there and give everything I can.
“Regardless of the contract not being negotiated fully, doesn’t really matter to me.”
Cashius Howell is already easing minds with the Bengals
Howell is locked in with his new team and is on track to participate with the rest of the roster once Phase Two of the offseason workout program begins next week. Per The Athletic’s Paul Dehner Jr., Howell and third-round pick Tacario Davis both signed the participation waiver to practice without a signed contract.
The Bengals selected Howell with the No. 41 pick in the second round of the 2026 NFL Draft. Picks No. 33-40 from the 2025 draft all received fully guaranteed contracts last year, the first time in NFL history players picked at those spots were given 100% guaranteed deals.
This is likely why Howell remains unsigned as of this posting. His agent could be pushing for a fully guaranteed deal to extend the precedent just beyond pick No. 40 much like agents last year pushed it beyond the first round.
Cincinnati dealt with Stewart holding out as his agent attempted to have offset language in his contract removed. The Bengals compromised by paying out part a larger portion of his signing bonus immediately and got to keep the language in the deal.
It’s not the same fight Howell’s representation could be fighting, but it’s still meaningful for the 23-year old to be participating while the behind-the-scenes work is ongoing. The Bengals’ second-round pick from last year, Demetrius Knight Jr. was also unsigned for most of the offseason as second-rounders were on standby to see where the fully guaranteed line was to be drawn. Knight was a full participant regardless.
Anytime the Bengals can avoid offseason drama, it’s a win for everybody. Howell’s decision and mindset are a breath of fresh air for the fan base.
