“It would be great.”
That was Dolphins general manager Chris Grier’s response to being asked if the team could get star cornerback Xavien Howard signed to a long-term contract before the start of the 2019 season.
The urgency is present now, believe it or not, for the Dolphins to get this done before next winter. Even though Howard has a year remaining on his current contract, allowing Howard to enter 2020 without a new deal is just begging for trouble. Should he near the open market, Howard is then tempted by the allure of the open market, where good players get paid like great players and great players get paid obscene amounts.
At this point in his career, Howard is a great player. So do the math.
The good news, according to Grier, is that there have been some productive talks towards an extension that prevents Howard from getting to that point.
“…We’ve been talking to his agent back and forth a little bit and they’ve been very good to work with. Xavien wants to be here and wants to be here long term.”
Grier didn’t tease the signing as imminent, but he did offer that there would be more in play than just re-signing a good player.
“It would be important because I think it could send a message – which we want – that we want our good young players to be here. So we’re trying to get something done.”
This mentality is cause for rejoicing among the Dolphin faithful. Good teams not only draft good players, but they retain their drafted talent (within reason). The Dolphins creating that expectation for their young players will further help to re-shape the culture of a program who has been known to outsource their star search.
For now, it’s back to business hammering out some details and signing on the dotted line.
