The Miami Dolphins and cornerback Xavien Howard are facing just the latest hurdle in what has apparently been a tumultuous relationship over the past few seasons. Miami showed the former Baylor cornerback good faith with a 5-year contract extension that (briefly) made him the No. 1 paid cornerback in football in the summer of 2019, but it feels like just about everything we’ve seen since has been a rocky ride. Miami’s teardown in 2019 left the team with little talent around Howard in the secondary and the cornerback played in just 5 football games, further fueling the concern regarding his health and longevity due to knee issues.
Then, at the 2020 NFL trade deadline, rumors arose that someone was calling Miami to inquire about Howard’s availability. The Dolphins reportedly balked at the assertion but now find themselves back in familiar territory as it may now be Howard’s turn to try to prompt a trade due to dissatisfaction about the good faith contract Miami inked Howard to two years ago.
But, according to Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald, Howard himself may have tried to push the Dolphins into a deal last fall amid his 10 interception season, too. Jackson has reported that while Howard mulls his options, including a trade request, Miami’s willingness to concede is questionable since Howard “conveyed to the Dolphins that he was open to (a trade)” last October.
“Howard is believed to be considering his options at this point. Those options include asking for a trade — something he has discussed with confidantes and would not be a surprising outcome.
Whether the Dolphins would consider a trade, even if he holds out during training camp, is very much in question. The Dolphins declined to pursue a trade last October when he conveyed to the Dolphins that he was open to it.” — Barry Jackson, Miami Herald
Howard’s apparent insistence on getting out of Miami is a good indicator that the two camps are far apart on compensation — and Howard knows it. With his stock likely never higher than it will be right now, Howard’s future earning potential and ability to manufacture new financials will be rooted in Miami’s willingness to meet his price or, alternatively, ship him out. But given Miami’s previous hesitancy to do so and their lack of incentive (4 years remain on Howard’s current deal) now make that a complicated proposition.