After spending the 2024 season out of the NFL, Xavien Howard has a deal in place. The former All-Pro corner has signed with the Colts, per an announcement from his agent. This will be a one-year pact worth up to $5MM, NFL Network’s Tom Pelissero adds. 
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Howard spent each of his first eight seasons with the Dolphins, becoming one of the league’s top ballhawks over that span. His 29 interceptions the 2017 campaign – his second in the league – lead the NFL, and Indianapolis would welcome a return of that production this year. For now, of course, Howard will turn his attention to carving out a role in the team’s secondary.
The 32-year-old was limited to 13 games during his final Dolphins campaign due to injury. A release took place, and it eventually became clear a new arrangement at a reduced rate would not be worked out. Howard intended to play in 2024, and the Houston native expressed interest in a Texans deal. That did not take place, though, and no 2024 pact was worked out. Howard did take an in-season visit with the Bengals, something which helps explain today’s move.
Howard spent time with Lou Anarumo during his first two Dolphins campaigns; at that point, the latter was Miami’s defensive backs coach. Anarumo was Cincinnati’s defensive coordinator last year, and after his dismissal following the campaign he took over as the Colts’ DC. With that in mind, Indianapolis represents a logical landing spot in Howard’s case.
The former second-rounder was named in a lawsuit last July, but no criminal charges came about in the case. No updates on the legal front have come about for Howard since then, clearing him to play in 2025. He will join a Colts secondary which made a notable free agent splash in the form of Charvarius Ward. Indianapolis also has the likes of Kenny Moore, Jaylon Jones, Julius Brents and rookie Justin Walley on the roster at the CB position. As Joel A. Erickson of the Indy Starts notes, however, injuries are currently a concern amongst that group (including the ACL tear Walley suffered during the team’s preseason opener).
Howard will look to provide healthy depth in time for the start of the season. A notable workload in 2025 would help him not only reach the maximum value of his current pact but set him up for a stronger free agent market next spring.
Did someone write this before having coffee? Howard didn’t have 29 interceptions in ‘17 (4), he has tallied 29 total over his time.
I don’t know how many interceptions a player would need to have in a year before quarterbacks stopped throwing anywhere near his general direction that season, but I’m gonna go ahead and assume it’s well under 20.