Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard of the Miami Dolphins revealed in a statement Tuesday night that he has requested a trade, arguing that he has outperformed his contract.
Howard stated, “I don’t feel cherished or respected by the Dolphins.”
“I can take a business-first approach just like they can.” Howard reported to training camp on Tuesday after being upset all summer by Miami’s refusal to modify his deal.
Howard signed a five-year, $75 million contract in 2019, making him the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL at the time.
But, after a 10-interception season (the most in the NFL since 2007) that won him an All-Pro selection, he is due $12 million in non-guaranteed money this year.
Howard’s contract is now the sixth-best per-year average, and he recently switched agents to help him negotiate a better deal.
“The footage backs up my assertion that I’m one of the finest cornerbacks in the league,” Howard said.
“But, I’m the second best paid cornerback on my own team, and it’s not even close.” In free agency last year, Byron Jones, the corner opposite Howard, signed a five-year, $82.5 million deal.
Howard and his new agent, David Canter, never asked for a new term, preferring to propose alternatives such as more guaranteed money on a modified contract, according to Howard.
The organization turned down those pitches, and he claimed that “the organization has not worked with me in good faith.”
“That’s why I want to be clear that I’m unhappy and have asked for a trade,” Howard stated.
“Until that trade comes, I’m just here to avoid getting fined, and I’ll handle myself like a pro,” Howard said. Howard has the ability to play press-man coverage and catch the ball.
Since joining the league in 2016, he has 22 interceptions and 55 pass deflections.
Just Marcus Peters (23) of the Baltimore Ravens had more picks in that time frame.
In 2019, Miami received two first-round selections in return for left tackle Laremy Tunsil, the last time it traded an outstanding talent.
