The Miami Dolphins see a star in their cornerback position, and they are now paying him like a star after Thursday night. The team announced that they have given Xavien Howard a five-year contract extension that is worth $76.5 million, which is the largest such extension for a cornerback in NFL history. The deal will include $46 million in guaranteed money, as he is scheduled to make $51 million over the first three seasons of his new contract. Howard is a major part of the Dolphins' rebuilding process, and now general manager Chris Grier is hoping he is a big part of their future.
The 25-year-old is coming off his first-career Pro Bowl this past season, as he was tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2018. The cornerback reached that number in just 12 games played, as he has 11 interceptions over 17 career games. The contract talks have reportedly been going on for months between the two sides, as the young star is entering his third season with Miami.
Despite being so young in the league, Howard showed plenty of confidence on the Pro Bowl this past winter, saying that he wants to be the Dolphins' franchise player and the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Well, he is the latter, but is still working to be the star player for the franchise, and that will come with more victories. Howard was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but now that the Dolphins have taken care of him, the reported next target is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. That contract is expected to be taken care of either this off-season or next.
The 25-year-old is coming off his first-career Pro Bowl this past season, as he was tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2018. The cornerback reached that number in just 12 games played, as he has 11 interceptions over 17 career games. The contract talks have reportedly been going on for months between the two sides, as the young star is entering his third season with Miami.
Despite being so young in the league, Howard showed plenty of confidence on the Pro Bowl this past winter, saying that he wants to be the Dolphins' franchise player and the highest-paid cornerback in the league. Well, he is the latter, but is still working to be the star player for the franchise, and that will come with more victories. Howard was entering the final year of his rookie contract, but now that the Dolphins have taken care of him, the reported next target is offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil. That contract is expected to be taken care of either this off-season or next.
