Cornerback Xavien Howard recently had his contract with the Miami Dolphins restructured.
Some details regarding Howard’s new deal have emerged, showing how much the 28-year-old could potentially earn in the next few years.
“Here are the terms of the new deal, per a source with knowledge of the terms,” wrote Mike Florio of ProFootballTalk.
“1. Signing bonus and roster bonus: $17.115 million.
“2. 2022 base salary: $1.035 million, fully guaranteed.
“3. 2023 base salary: $18.15 million, fully guaranteed.
“4. 2024 roster bonus: $3 million, due second day of 2024 league year.
“5. 2024 base salary: $15.4 million, $4 million of which guaranteed for injury at signing and becomes fully guaranteed on the third day of the 2024 league year.
“6. 2025 roster bonus: $3 million, due second day of 2025 league year.
“8. 2025 base salary: $13.65 million.
“9. 2026 roster bonus: $3 million, due second day of 2026 league year.
“10. 2026 base salary: $15.15 million.
“11. 2022-26 workout bonus: $100,000 per year.
“12: 2022-26 incentives: $1 million per year, based on achieving first-team All-Pro or initial ballot Pro Bowl.”
It has been quite a roller coaster of a year for the Dolphins and Howard.
Prior to the start of the 2021 regular season, Howard officially requested a trade from the organization, citing its hesitation to restructure his contract. The Dolphins eventually acquiesced to his original request and gave him a restructured deal. Now, the franchise has reworked his contract again.
The Baylor University product has been one of Miami’s best players in recent years.
In the 2020 campaign, Howard recorded a career-high 10 interceptions, which was also enough to lead the league during that season. He also contributed 20 passes defended and 51 combined tackles.
The following season, Howard had another solid year for the Dolphins. He recorded five interceptions, 16 passes defended and 50 combined tackles. He was also named to his third Pro Bowl.
This offseason, the Dolphins have made several roster changes, including acquiring star wide receiver Tyreek Hill from the Kansas City Chiefs. They have also brought in a new coach in Mike McDaniel.
Fans are hoping that those moves can help Miami get over the hump and make a postseason appearance for the first time since the 2016 campaign.
