Dolphins Sign CB Xavien Howard to a Record 5-year, $76.5 Million Deal

Xavien Howard (25) of Miami Dolphins in 2018
CB Xavien Howard (25) with the Miami Dolphins in 2018. Photo by Adam Lacy/CSM/REX/Shutterstock (9917024ak)

Just because Miami Dolphins are in a rebuilding phase, that doesn’t mean the team isn’t willing to spend significant money on their players. According to reports around the league, Dolphins have just agreed to a new contract with their Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.

ESPN’s Adam Schefter reports that Howard inked a five-year, $76.5 million deal with $46 million guaranteed. This deal, which keeps the 25-year-old in Miami through 2024, will make him the highest-paid CB in the league.

Xavien Howard entered the league in 2016 when Dolphins took him in the second round of the NFL draft. After an injury-riddled rookie season, in which he played just seven games, Howard bounced back in 2017 and started all 16 games while contributing with 48 tackles, one sack, and four interceptions.

Howard really broke through in 2018, when he recorded league-high seven interceptions while adding 35 tackles and 12 passes defended in just 12 games. He ended up missing final four games of the season with a torn meniscus but still managed to earn Pro Bowl appearance and Second-Team All-Pro honors.