Former Buffalo Bills TE O.J. Howard reportedly visiting the Bengals
On Tuesday, the Buffalo Bills released tight end O.J. Howard in probably what was the most surprising move of the day by the team. However, the former first round pick doesn’t appear that he will be without for a team very long.
According to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, O.J. Howard was in Cincinnati visiting with the Bengals. Even though the Bengals claimed Devin Aasai, who was waived by the New England Patriots, Rapoport said a signing may take place as early as Thursday.
O.J. Howard failed to make an impact with the Buffalo Bills this summer
The Buffalo Bills signed O.J. Howard this offseason and the hope was that he could be a quality second tight end for the Buffalo Bills. While he would be considered a backup to Dawson Knox, a player like Howard potentially could open the door for more two tight end sets for the offense this year.
However, Howard didn’t make much of an impact during training camp or the preseason. The Bills elected to go with Tommy Sweeney and Quintin Morris to complete the position alongside Knox. The fact that this is essentially the same group, with the addition of Morris, it remains to be seen if offensive coordinator Ken Dorsey is going to be able to utilize two tight end formations more this season.
As for O.J. Howard, he potentially lands in a great spot in Cincinnati as he will now have Joe Burrow throwing him passes. However, he hasn’t made much of an impact with quarterbacks like Josh Allen and Tom Brady throwing to him so it remains to be seen what he might be able to do in this offense.
He will almost certainly be behind Hayden Hurst, a former first round pick of the Baltimore Ravens, and who was signed this offseason to replace C.J. Uzomah. He will probably be competing with Aasai for that number two spot.
