The Cincinnati Bengals managed to sidestep a potential contract headache with their rookie class this offseason—and one player’s refreshing attitude is earning him some serious goodwill from the fanbase.

While most of the team’s top draft picks signed their rookie deals ahead of minicamp, edge rusher Cashius Howell and cornerback Tacario Davis were the only two who hadn’t yet put pen to paper. Instead of sitting out, however, both players signed participation waivers that allowed them to hit the field and work alongside their teammates—a move that speaks volumes about their mindset.

When asked about the situation last week, Howell delivered a quote that’s sure to resonate with Bengals faithful. "I love football," he said, via WDTN’s Kayler Smith. "Regardless of the contract not being negotiated fully, doesn't really matter to me."

It’s a statement that stands in stark contrast to last year’s drama surrounding first-round pick Shemar Stewart. Both Howell and Stewart are edge defenders who played together at Texas A&M, and both faced contract delays. But while Stewart’s holdout—fueled by a then-new contract structure the Bengals were implementing—created tension and dragged into the summer, Howell’s approach is a breath of fresh air.

To be fair, the situations aren’t identical. Howell was a second-round pick with far less leverage than Stewart, a first-rounder. And the Bengals were testing a new contract clause with Stewart that has since become more standardized. Still, in a league where contract disputes often dominate headlines, Howell’s love-for-the-game mentality is a welcome change of pace.

For Bengals fans still smarting from last year’s protracted negotiations, Howell’s comments are exactly the kind of team-first attitude that builds chemistry—and makes you want to rock his jersey on game day.