Former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard will have to find a new home for the 2024 season.
According to Mike Garafolo of NFL Network, the Dolphins informed Howard that he’ll be released at the start of the league year.
Garafolo added that Howard is expected to have “significant interest” on the open market.
Since entering the league in 2016, Howard has only played for the Dolphins. He has racked up 331 tackles, 95 pass deflections, 29 interceptions and five fumble recoveries so far in his career.
In terms of production, the 2023 season was not up to Howard’s standards. In fact, his streak of making the Pro Bowl in three straight years got snapped.
Howard’s cap hit for the 2024 season was going to be $25.9 million. If the Dolphins designate him as a post-June 1 release, they’ll save $18.5 million in cap space.
The Dolphins aren’t just parting ways with Howard this offseason. They’ve reportedly cut ties with pass rusher Emmanuel Ogbah. He signed a four-year, $65 million extension with Miami in 2022.
Coming into this Friday, the Dolphins were well over the salary cap for the 2024 season. Releasing Ogbah and Howard will help cut into that deficit, but there’s still more work that needs to be done.