Bengals, Xavien Howard unable to reach deal

In their attempt to bolster their secondary, the Cincinnati Bengals brought former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard in for a visit.

But despite their mutual interest, it doesn’t appear that Howard will be joining the Bengals roster, with Mike Garafolo of the NFL Network reporting that the two sides were unable to reach a deal.

“The #Bengals made an offer to CB Xavien Howard after a good workout today but the sides were unable to reach an agreement, sources say,” Garafolo wrote on X. “Howard is headed back home to continue training to stay ready for his next opportunity.”

The #Bengals made an offer to CB Xavien Howard after a good workout today but the sides were unable to reach an agreement, sources say. Howard is headed back home to continue training to stay ready for his next opportunity. https://t.co/c0zARG1EFj

— Mike Garafolo (@MikeGarafolo) November 11, 2024

Cincinnati’s interest in the 31-year-old Howard comes amid a disappointing 2024 season in which the Bengals currently lay claim to a 4-6 record following last week’s loss to the Baltimore Ravens. Cincinnati’s defense has been particularly underwhelming, ranking 26th in the NFL by allowing 26.2 points per game.

As for Howard, the four-time Pro Bowl selection has remain unsigned since being released by the Miami Dolphins following the 2023 season. A first-team All-Pro selection in 2020, Howard was previously considered one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL but saw his play slip during the 2022 and 2023 seasons prior to his release this past offseason.

People were interested in these podcasts

Play Episode

68min

The Play-By-Play

ESPN CFP takeaways, AA NFL announcer rankings overview

The first 12-team College Football Playoff is almost over. How did ESPN do? NFL head coaches are rarely traded so why does everyone in sports media want the Steelers to trade Mike Tomlin? Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics, and we discuss our NFL announcer rankings with AA's Andrew Bucholtz, on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:54: ESPN College Football Playoff takeaways-22:28: AA’s NFL announcer rankings-43:19: Kyle Hamilton tidbit everyone is using-46:24: Tom Brady conflict of interest talk calling Lions playoff game-57:02: Mike Tomlin trade-1:01:26: Danny Goodwin-1:03:36: Pat McAfee’s Field Pass altcastYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

NBA negativity, Caitlin Clark's TIME interview, Bill Belichick to UNC

Sports media is overwhelmingly negative about the NBA. Conservatives take issue on Caitlin Clark's TIME Athlete of the Year interview. Bill Belichick is going to coach for the Tar Heels. Awful Announcing's Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:00: Negativity from sports media world on NBA-27:17: Bill Belichick going to UNC-36:06: Mike Florio suggesting Bears trade for Kyle Shanahan-41:18: College football calendar issues-45:53: Caitlin Clark’s Time interview reactions-54:11: Dave Pasch profile-56:17: Aaron Rodgers’ Netflix docuseriesYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract, TGL talk, what replaces 'Around the Horn?'

Stephen A. Smith and ESPN finally have a deal and the TGL is entering the playoffs in their first season. Awful Announcing's Brandon Contes and Drew Lerner join Ben Axelrod and Brendon Kleen to discuss these topics and more on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-1:01: Stephen A. Smith’s new ESPN contract with Brandon Contes-32:23 TGL entering playoffs with Drew Lerner-50:33: What should replace “Around the Horn?”-58:33 Giving up X posting for Lent updateYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on AppleListen on SpotifyAwful Announcing on XAwful Announcing on FacebookAwful Announcing on InstagramAwful Announcing on ThreadsAwful Announcing on BlueSkyAwful Announcing on LinkedIn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Play-By-Play

‘Mr. McMahon’ doc, Zach Lowe out at ESPN, Kamala Harris on ‘All the Smoke’

After years since the announcement, "Mr. McMahon" debuted on Netflix. ESPN surprisingly lets go of Zach Lowe. Kamala Harris does a podcast and it's "All the Smoke?" Awful Announcing's Brendon Kleen and Ben Axelrod discuss these topics plus have some praise for "Scoop City" and Diana Taurasi's impact on the WNBA on the latest episode of The Play-By-Play.Time Stamps:-:57: “Mr. McMahon” Netflix docuseries thoughts-26:24: Zach Lowe out at ESPN-40:21: Kamala Harris on “All The Smoke”-44:45: “Scoop City” praise-48:04: Diana TaurasiYou can subscribe to The Play-By-Play wherever podcasts are found. Please subscribe, rate and review!Download The Play-By-Play:Listen on Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-play-by-play/id1763654809Listen on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/4HaEA8ssc7LpPoJ8pKT1hk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

[Mike Garafolo on X]

About Ben Axelrod