Camila Sosa
The Miami Dolphins continue to take big steps in this NFL preseason and now it was about the star cornerback Xavien Howard, who renewed his deal with the organization.
According to NFL Network’s Tom Pelisero and Mike Garafolo, Xavien Howard became the highest-paid cornerback in history by extending his contract for two seasons and $50 million, for a total of $90 million at the end of his contract.
In 2019 Howard signed a five-season, $75.25M contract, so, prior to the extension, he still had about $40 million remaining for the next three campaigns. However, the Dolphins did not want to extend the wait much longer and thus secured one of the best cornerbacks in the NFL in recent seasons.
But there is more to it than meets the eye. This new contract, which ends in 2026, includes the most guaranteed quantity of money in NFL history for a cornerback. His $18 million per year average is the highest for a cornerback, and he is now also going to earn the most money over the next three years compared to all other corners currently signed.
The deal comes after that, last year, the Dolphins management promised Xavien Howard to review his contract due to several disagreements with it. One of the disagreements was related to the extension given to Byron Jones, Howard’s position mate, which left Howard as the second highest paid. However, the problem could be solved very quickly and in a more-thant-interesting fashion.
Xavien Howard’s Numbers
It would be unfair to point out that Xavien Howard does not deserve his new contract. The 28-year-old cornerback has been one of the best at his position, if not the best, in recent seasons on the circuit.
Since his debut in 2016 with the Dolphins, Howard has dazzled with his talent, and just in his third season in the league he managed to become the leader in interceptions when he totaled seven in 2018, despite playing only 12 games due to injury.
In 2019 he injured his knee again, and he was only able to play on five occasions. But in 2020, once he fully recovered, he showed that when healthy he is one of the bests in the league and finished as the leader in interceptions (10) and passes defended (20).
In total Howard has 27 interceptions and 71 passes defended in 72 games played, and he has been named to three Pro Bowls and was once named to the All-Pro team.
