Brian Flores described Xavien Howard‘s minicamp holdout as a unique situation, and the veteran cornerback is believed to be entrenched in his pursuit of a new contract. The Dolphins do not appear eager to meet his demand.
Howard’s camp approached the Dolphins to communicate the five-year veteran’s desire for a new contract that at least pays him more than teammate Byron Jones, but the team is hesitant to redo the All-Pro’s deal, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com notes. This pause stems from the franchise having given Howard a then-cornerback-record contract two years ago. Four years remain on Howard’s five-year, $75.25MM pact.
The Dolphins paying Howard again so soon would certainly set an unusual precedent, and although the NFL’s first 10-INT player in 13 seasons has proven to be a consistent ballhawk, he has battled both injuries and an off-field issue. A domestic battery charge against Howard ended up being dropped, but the Dolphins dealt with that issue cropping up after a 2019 season in which the veteran corner missed 11 games. Howard also missed nine games as a rookie and four in 2018. Of course, in that 12-game 2018 season, Howard led the NFL with seven INTs.
Following Howard’s $15.1MM-per-year extension, the cornerback market moved for the first time in many years. Jones, Tre’Davious White, Marlon Humphrey and Jalen Ramsey signed for more than Howard in 2020; Ramsey’s $20MM-AAV accord leads all corners. The Dolphins gave Jones a five-year, $82.5MM pact last March. Jones’ deal came with $46MM fully guaranteed, which leads all NFL corners. Howard signed for $27.2MM fully guaranteed, which is ninth at the position.
Miami could opt to restructure Howard’s deal to provide additional bonus money now, or the team could piece together an incentive package for its top turnover producer. During Flores’ final year with the Patriots, the team agreed to incentive compromises with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Also in 2018, the Broncos gave Chris Harris an incentive package. In 2019, after Denver signed Kareem Jackson to make him the team’s highest-paid DB, the team gave Harris a raise. But this involved a contract that was set to expire at season’s end, so only part of Harris’ previous situation applies to Howard’s.
The Dolphins have discussed Howard in trades over the past year but set a high asking price for him. It will be interesting to see if they end up revisiting trade talks, in the event Howard does not show for training camp. The CBA limits his options for a holdout at that point of the calendar.
Isn’t it funny how money effects everyone. His contract was signed and agreed upon. Happy to get the current deal….WHAT? “X” is making “Y”? Thats not fair? I want to make “Y” too. NOW I FEEL BETTER! Then comes along “Z”……Gluttony and Greed are served everywhere you look. I’m happy until I compare to the guy next to me! These athletes are blessed with the income they receive yet they fight over more as if they are starved for cash!
What smart GM would not be?
3 Things in play here.
1. This deal was done in good faith last yr and provide Xavier the top salary in the league with limited quality play in his tenure not yrs of repetitive performances
2. The team would set a dangerous precedent to all other players who have ONE good season
3. The pure greed and disregard for his teammates who are one of the youngest Corp of players speaks volumes. This team desperately chemistry to form to compensate for their greenness
I really like Howard. However he isn’t going to have a better year than last year. Maybe he knows that and wants to capitalize while he can. I feel Miami should find a trade partner.
As a Patriots fan, I approve of this message. Trade him.
Don’t sign 5 year contracts if you can’t see them through. You want to be the highest paid guy every year? Sign 1 year deals that are guaranteed. You can’t have it both ways.
Bill – You bring up a good point and it got me thinking about NFL contract structures.
The whole NFL contract situation is a farce (announced contracts vs. guaranteed portions).
If I’m a player, I would never agree to any non-guaranteed money other than performance bonuses. If that means a series of one year contracts, so be it.
By agreeing to non-guaranteed years/contracts, a player gives away to their team all of their future negotiating leverage. The only recourse is to hold out, which ends up costing the player a lot of money and usually doesn’t produce the desired result.
A 5 year contract with the first 2 years guaranteed is really a 2 year contract. The team then has 3 option years and can cut the player as soon as the cost/benefit equation goes against the player.
Agents and players are screwing themselves by chasing the biggest “contracts” vs. focusing on guaranteed money. Why hasn’t the Players’ Union figured this out yet?
Yet almost all the players hate the franchise tag which pays them top 5 money w/ huge increase from year to year.
I wouldn’t trade him, I wouldn’t renegotiate with him. Let him sit and collect fines.
BBC
Trade or let him sit… As good as he was last year, his “new” agent has screwed X over with this bs.. He has lost a lot of creditability with this fanbase..