Does A Xavien Howard Lou Anarumo Reunion Make Sense In Cincinnati
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
As a result of the Miami Dolphins being in a dreadful salary cap situation, they have decided to part ways with longtime cornerback Xavien Howard.
Among the long-anticipated moves that are now official: The #Dolphins have released CB Xavien Howard.
From this point forward, teams can use post-June 1 designations to spread cap hits for releasing players over two years if they so choose.
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) March 13, 2024
After losing veteran Chidobe Awuzie in free agency to the Titans, the Bengals now have a hole, especially from a veteran perspective, at cornerback. Cincinnati was even in play for former Titans defensive back Kristian Fulton (2019 LSU National Champs represent!) before he decided to sign a one year deal to join Jim Harbaugh’s Chargers squad in Los Angeles.
Even with the Bengals using a good portion of their cap space to acquire several key pieces, they still have some room to play with. A need at cornerback, and while there will be several suitors looking to acquire his services, Xavien Howard is a potential option. Howard, who has a nearly identical build to Awuzie (their weight is the same, but Howard is an inch taller), has gone on record to say that he doesn’t need a bank-breaking contract as long as he goes to a Super Bowl contender.
Ex-Dolphins CB Xavien Howard open to pay cut to join playoff team: "How much money do you really need?"https://t.co/XvYS16nPec pic.twitter.com/qk2bDooovn
— Around The NFL (@AroundTheNFL) March 22, 2024
While 2023 was certainly a tumultuous year in Cincinnati, there is little doubt that the Bengals can return to that contending form. Joe Burrow will once again be at full strength, the secondary has new pieces, and 2023 draftees will look to take significant second year leaps.
In May 2019, Howard signed a five-year, $76.5 million contract extension with the Dolphins with $46 million guaranteed, which made him the highest paid cornerback in the league at the time. He has been a two time league leader in interceptions with 7 in 2018 and 10 in 2020. 2020 (the year of our Lord) was a career year for Howard, as in addition to the 10 picks, he led the league with 20 passes defended and was a first team All-Pro.
Since then, his game has taken a few steps back, but he’s still able to stay on the field and contribute. The four time Pro-Bowler, who made the Pro Bowl most recently in 2022, has 12 passes defended and one interception in each of the last two seasons. His coverage skills have taken a decline,
While he is no longer the game-changing, elite defensive back he once was, he still provides a veteran presence in the secondary that the Bengals now lack since losing Awuzie. With young cornerbacks like Cam Taylor-Britt, DJ Turner, and Dax Hill looking to make strides in their game, bringing in Howard could give Cincy’s DB room a mentor who still may have some gas left in the tank.
We here at The Noise are not alone in this sentiment.
@Iamxavienhoward come on to Cincy!! Perfect spot for ya 🤷🏾♂️ https://t.co/nZTXyugNyC
— Mike Hilton (@MikeHilton_28) March 22, 2024
Hilton has been a noted advocate for players to join the Bengals’ squad. He also attempted to recruit safety CJ Gardner-Johnson last season before signing a contract with the Detroit Lions. Xavien Howard also has ties to Cincinnati’s coaching staff, as his defensive backs coach in the first two years of his career was, in fact, current defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo.
In the last two seasons, and with two different teams, new defensive Lou Anarumo coached a pair of Pro Bowl safeties in Miami’s Reshad Jones and the Giants’ Landon Collins. He also helped develop Miami cornerback Xavien Howard into a Pro Bowler.
📰: https://t.co/lznoshLDxU pic.twitter.com/PWe5c1InYE
— Cincinnati Bengals (@Bengals) February 21, 2019
Lou Anarumo’s previous successful efforts in Howard’s initial developmental process could in fact make a career Renaissance possible. However, age is not on Howard’s side, as he turns 31 in July.
While Cincinnati could potentially be in play for Howard, he recently made it known that his preferred destination is to his hometown Houston Texans.
“I would love to do that; back at home, the crib,” Howard said. “I have (the) Houston Rockets and the Texans tatted on me…It’s a realistic option for me. They have a hell of a quarterback.”
Howard could certainly wind up back home, but the Texans have already addressed their cornerback room this offseason, as they signed 2020 top ten picks Jeff Okudah and C.J. Henderson to one year deals. They will be paired up with 2022 third overall pick Derek Stingley Jr. and look to shore up DeMeco Ryans’ secondary.
The contract offer to Fulton, however, shows that Cincinnati is in play to sign a veteran cornerback. Xavien Howard is certainly one of the intriguing options. If a Howard signing doesn’t come to fruition, other veteran cornerbacks available on the open market include Adoree’ Jackson, Stephon Gilmore, Avonte Maddox, Patrick Peterson, Levi Wallace, and Rock Ya-Sin.
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