The handful of NFL teams yet to have their one mandatory minicamp of the offseason are holding them this week, the Miami Dolphins included. Already there is some drama there as All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard is not in attendance and reportedly may request a trade unless the Dolphins redo his contract – even though he just got a mega-extension. Howard is +4000 at William Hill Sportsbook to win NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2021.
Miami's scoring defense was fifth-best in the NFL last year in allowing just 21.1 points per game and tied for the league lead with 18 picks in large part due to Howard, a 2016 second-round steal out of Baylor. Howard was named first-team All-Pro, to his second Pro Bowl (even though there wasn't one), was third in NFL Defensive Player of the Year voting and named team MVP. He started all 16 games and led the NFL with 10 interceptions to go with 51 tackles (40 solo), 20 passes defensed and a forced fumble. Pro Football Focus ranked Howard the No. 2 corner in the NFL.
The 10 picks tied the single-season franchise record set by Dick Westmoreland in 1967 and were the most by an NFL player since Antonio Cromartie in 2007. Howard had picks in five straight games, tied for the longest streak in Dolphins history. His 22 picks since 2017 are by far the most in the NFL. He also tied for the NFL lead with seven interceptions in 2018.
So, Howard is clearly an excellent player who deserves to be one of the highest-paid at his position. That's the thing, though: He already is. The Fins signed Howard a five-year, $75.25 million contract ahead of the 2019 season that included $46 million guaranteed – that deal kicked in last year off his rookie deal. He's due to make $12.1 million in base salary this season but now ranks sixth among cornerbacks in average annual salary.
The problem for Howard is that last spring, the Fins signed fellow cornerback Byron Jones to a bigger five-year, $82.5 million deal, and Howard believes he should be the highest-paid corner on the team. Jones will make $14 million in base salary this year and didn't have near the season Howard did in 2020 (37 tackles, two INTs, four passes defensed).
Howard is subject to a fine of $93,000 if he skips all three days of the mandatory camp (he did miss voluntary OTAs) and recently hired a new agent.
"He was extended and now we're talking about a renegotiation of an extension," Coach Brian Flores said. "We've had a lot of discussions about that. Very unique situation, talking about a potential renegotiation after one year. I'm not saying that we're drawing a line in the sand. But different players set the market every year."
The Dolphins signed linebacker Jerome Baker to a three-year extension Sunday, but he was heading into the last year of his rookie contract.
Miami is a +340 second favorite in the AFC East this season with a win total of 9.0. There's almost no chance the team would trade Howard with the franchise's first playoff berth since 2016 very attainable. The Dolphins have opened as a 2.5-point underdog Week 1 at New England. Miami hasn't had a Defensive Player of the Year winner since Jason Taylor in 2006.
Defensive backs skipping minicamps because they are unhappy with contracts is a major theme around the NFL this week with New England's Stephon Gilmore and Seattle's Jamal Adams doing the same thing.
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