Xavien Howard: ‘Door Is Closed’ on Return to Dolphins in 2024 NFL Free Agency

Scott Polacek@@ScottPolacekFeatured Columnist IVMarch 7, 2024

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Xavien Howard has spent his entire career with the Miami Dolphins, but it appears that will change in 2024.

During a discussion with Joe Rose of 560 Sports WQAM on Thursday, the cornerback shut down any possibility of a reunion.

“That door is closed, I’m sorry,” Howard said.

Daniel Oyefusi of the Miami Herald noted the Dolphins informed the cornerback this offseason they would designate him as a post-June 1 cut. The move will save the team $18.5 million in cap space.

“We had a long discussion and he understood it was a business decision,” general manager Chris Grier told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine.

“And at the end of the day, I just felt it was right for him to have this opportunity for his agent to go see what’s out there for him. But didn’t close the door and said we’re going to stay in communication as the process goes and see what happens and left the door open for him possibly coming back here, too.”

Grier might not have closed the door, but Howard did with his comments Thursday.

The veteran, who will be 31 years old throughout the 2024 campaign, said he does not plan to retire and would like to join a playoff contender.

He will surely generate plenty of interest given his track record.

Howard entered the league as a 2016 second-round draft pick and was a four-time Pro Bowler during his first eight seasons with Miami. He led the league in interceptions with seven in 2018 and again with 10 in 2020.

The Baylor product appeared in 13 games this past season and posted 45 tackles, 12 passes defended and one interception. It was his second straight year with just one interception, although he was still a Pro Bowler in 2022.