NFL Rumors: Bengals Won’t Sign Leonard Fournette, Xavien Howard | News, results, highlights, statistics and rumors

Free agent running back Leonard Fournette and free agent cornerback Xavien Howard reportedly will not sign contracts after visiting the Cincinnati Bengals on Monday.

NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo reported that the Bengals made an offer to Howard, but the two sides couldn’t agree on a deal:

Meanwhile, Fox Sports’ Jordan Schultz Fournette also reportedly will not sign with the team. Schultz reported that the Bengals will instead sign former New York Giants running back Gary Brightwell, who will start on the practice squad.

Fournette won a Super Bowl with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers in the 2020-21 season and most recently played for the Buffalo Bills in 2023. He appeared in just two games with the Bills, gaining 40 yards on 12 carries.

Fournette previously recorded 668 rush yards with the Buccaneers in 2022 and owns a career average of 3.9 yards per carry.

Howard spent the first eight seasons of his career as a member of the Miami Dolphins before being released in March.

The Bengals could use an experienced cornerback after allowing 35 points in a loss Thursday to Lamar Jackson and the Baltimore Ravens that dropped them to 4-6 after 10 games.

Jackson threw for 290 yards and four touchdowns without being sacked in the win and completed 75.8 percent of his passes.

Howard has four Pro Bowl nominations, including three straight from 2020 to 2022. Over his career, he has 331 tackles, 95 passes defended, 29 interceptions and four forced fumbles.

In 2023, the 31-year-old took a step back, which contributed to his eventual release. Howard caught one pass and allowed 44 balls on 71 targets in 13 starts, earning him just a 55.1 grade from Pro Football Focus.

The inconsistency in the Bengals’ defense has resulted in the team failing to live up to expectations despite impressive seasons from the star duo of quarterback Joe Burrow and wide receiver Ja’Marr Chase. Cincinnati is giving up 26.2 points per game in 2024, which is the seventh-worst defense in the NFL.

The Bengals have scored more than 30 points in five games this season, but have just a 2-3 record in those contests.

Howard also has some familiarity with Cincinnati’s coaching staff, as defensive coordinator Lou Anarumo previously served as the Dolphins’ defensive coach under Howard from 2016-17. Despite his ties to Anarumo, it doesn’t currently look like a reunion will happen.

Despite the Bengals’ tumultuous season, they are still just one game behind the Denver Broncos and the No. 7 seed in the AFC.