The Miami Dolphins may be bracing for a new contract negotiation with star cornerback Xavien Howard. Based on the developments of the past six months, one would assume Miami has read the room well enough to know what is coming. Because Howard, who inked a contract extension with the Dolphins ahead of the 2019 regular season, went out and played like the Defensive Player of the Year in 2020, logging 10 interceptions while also leading the league in passes defensed this season and conceding an opposing quarterback rating under 50 in coverage on the year.
And now, Howard has made a big change off the field — he’s switching his representation. Howard’s new agent, David Canter, announced the move yesterday.
Extremely excited to welcome @miamidolphins cornerback and the BEST corner in the game @Iamxavienhoward the newest veteran player to join #TeamDEC #LFG pic.twitter.com/Pc1tVZ5SXG
— DEC Management (@davidcanter) January 10, 2021
Canter’s client list includes former Miami Dolphins defensive end Olivier Vernon, Cowboys star pass rusher Demarcus Lawrence and Bengals safety Vonn Bell. With Howard now included on Canter’s clientele sheet, he’s assembles quite an impressive group of defensive standouts to represent. And now the question becomes what was Howard’s motivations to endure a representation change?
One can only presume that it has to do with his contract — which Armando Salguero reported in December that Howard was keen on renegotiating after such an impressive season of play.
The dilemma for the Dolphins is this. Howard’s play in 2020 demands top dollar. And Howard has always been one of the better ball-hawking cornerbacks in all of football. But the team must ask themselves how comfortable they are with reupping a contract that was signed 18 months ago to a cornerback who has an extensive list of knee injuries during his playing time in the NFL. Part of the allure of how the Dolphins structured his second contract when they paid him the first time was how flexible it was for the long-term. Restructuring or extending that deal after two seasons — and for a cap figure that Howard and Canter will likely aim in excess of $20M per season on — is a tough pill to swallow for the Dolphins.
Not because Howard isn’t worth it, but rather because making such changes would almost assuredly make his contract more high-risk and restrictive for Miami to work with in the years to come.
