Dolphins Hesitant On New Howard Deal
Brian Flores described Xavien Howard‘s minicamp holdout as a unique situation, and the veteran cornerback is believed to be entrenched in his pursuit of a new contract. The Dolphins do not appear eager to meet his demand.
Howard’s camp approached the Dolphins to communicate the five-year veteran’s desire for a new contract that at least pays him more than teammate Byron Jones, but the team is hesitant to redo the All-Pro’s deal, Cameron Wolfe of ESPN.com notes. This pause stems from the franchise having given Howard a then-cornerback-record contract two years ago. Four years remain on Howard’s five-year, $75.25MM pact.
The Dolphins paying Howard again so soon would certainly set an unusual precedent, and although the NFL’s first 10-INT player in 13 seasons has proven to be a consistent ballhawk, he has battled both injuries and an off-field issue. A domestic battery charge against Howard ended up being dropped, but the Dolphins dealt with that issue cropping up after a 2019 season in which the veteran corner missed 11 games. Howard also missed nine games as a rookie and four in 2018. Of course, in that 12-game 2018 season, Howard led the NFL with seven INTs.
Following Howard’s $15.1MM-per-year extension, the cornerback market moved for the first time in many years. Jones, Tre’Davious White, Marlon Humphrey and Jalen Ramsey signed for more than Howard in 2020; Ramsey’s $20MM-AAV accord leads all corners. The Dolphins gave Jones a five-year, $82.5MM pact last March. Jones’ deal came with $46MM fully guaranteed, which leads all NFL corners. Howard signed for $27.2MM fully guaranteed, which is ninth at the position.
Miami could opt to restructure Howard’s deal to provide additional bonus money now, or the team could piece together an incentive package for its top turnover producer. During Flores’ final year with the Patriots, the team agreed to incentive compromises with Tom Brady and Rob Gronkowski. Also in 2018, the Broncos gave Chris Harris an incentive package. In 2019, after Denver signed Kareem Jackson to make him the team’s highest-paid DB, the team gave Harris a raise. But this involved a contract that was set to expire at season’s end, so only part of Harris’ previous situation applies to Howard’s.
The Dolphins have discussed Howard in trades over the past year but set a high asking price for him. It will be interesting to see if they end up revisiting trade talks, in the event Howard does not show for training camp. The CBA limits his options for a holdout at that point of the calendar.
Xavien Howard “Dug In” On Contract Issue
Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard held out of minicamp and appears prepared to stay away from the club until he lands a new contract. As Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald writes, Howard is “dug in” on the issue, and if he does not get what he wants, the impasse could last well into August.
Howard is coming off a tremendous season, intercepting a league-leading 10 passes (the second time in three seasons he has paced the NFL in INTs), and grading out as the second-best CB in the league per Pro Football Focus’ advanced metrics. Though the five-year, $75MM pact Howard signed with the Dolphins in 2019 made him the highest-paid corner in the league at the time, his $15MM AAV is now the sixth-highest mark in football (one spot behind teammate Byron Jones, who is not as good as Howard but who was lucky enough to sign his free agent contract one year later).
So, if Howard had only one or two years left on his deal, a renegotiation would probably be a no-brainer for the Dolphins. But Howard has four years left, and it would set a dangerous precedent to rework a contract with that much time remaining. Plus, under the terms of the new CBA, Miami does have some leverage, as Howard would stand to lose $50K in unforgivable fines for each day of training camp he misses, and if he fails to report on time, he would lose an accrued season towards free agency.
In light of his dominant 2020 campaign, Howard might feel comfortable with those penalties. He may believe that, if the Dolphins won’t pay him, another club will be willing to trade for him and give him the top-of-the-market deal he’s seeking, thereby negating the fines and, perhaps, the free agency issue. However, Miami was justifiably demanding a king’s ransom for Howard at last year’s trade deadline, and it’s unlikely the club will lower its asking price too much.
Dolphins head coach Brian Flores recently acknowledged that Howard’s situation is a “unique” one, but he did not sound especially keen to rework the CB’s existing contract.
Wilson, Hurns Both Back Healthy With Dolphins
Dolphins receivers Albert Wilson and Allen Hurns both opted out of the 2020 season due to COVID-19. Both are now back in Miami for 2021, and both say they don’t regret their decisions to opt out, via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald. “There was never a time I second-guessed” the decision to opt out, Hurns said. Each player’s contract tolled, and each has a little over $1MM in guaranteed money for this season, but Jackson writes that they’re both fighting for roster spots. Wilson looked great after first joining the Dolphins in 2018, but a serious hip injury knocked him out after only seven games.
He came back in 2019, but wasn’t the same as he dealt with injuries. “I wasn’t comfortable doing things that [2019] year [but] I feel great right now — my whole body, including the hip,” Wilson said. Jackson writes that Wilson and Hurns have both looked sharp so far in practices after the time off. “They’re both in good shape,” said Dolphins coach Brian Flores. “There’s always a little rust from any player after having some time off, but I think they look really good.” With DeVante Parker, Will Fuller, and rookie first-rounder Jaylen Waddle at the top of the depth chart, it won’t be easy to get their old playing time back.
This Date In Transactions History: Dolphins Extend Sam Madison
In the late 1990s, the Dolphins held the 44th overall pick in back-to-back years. They used both second-round selections, 1997 and ’98, to form one of the top cornerback tandems of that era: Sam Madison and Patrick Surtain.
Both players appeared on an All-Pro first team, and the Dolphins locked up each cover man long-term to keep their coverage duo in place until the mid-2000s. Twenty-one years ago today, Miami began the process of building around that pair. On June 21, 2000, the Dolphins agreed to a seven-year, $54MM extension with Madison, who was coming off the first of his All-Pro seasons. Madison’s contract, which contained an $11MM signing bonus, surpassed Dan Marino‘s as the richest in franchise history.
Then-HC Dave Wannstedt and current Vikings GM Rick Spielman, then Miami’s VP of player personnel, were at the helm. The Dolphins had made three straight playoff berths since Madison’s 1997 arrival (during Jimmy Johnson‘s tenure) and remained a Pro Bowl-caliber player well into the post-Marino era.
Madison’s terms were similar to what other high-end corners had signed for in 2000. Earlier that year, the Patriots and Ty Law agreed to a seven-year, $50MM pact. Deion Sanders signed with the Redskins for seven years and $55MM. Madison’s Dolphins run outlasted both Hall of Famers’ deals, playing in Miami through the 2005 season.
Madison made four straight Pro Bowls, from 1999-2002, and was a back-to-back first-team All-Pro from 1999-2000. Surtain (three Pro Bowls, 2004 first-team All-Pro nod) signed his extension a year later and teamed with Madison until the ’04 season, after which he signed with the Chiefs. Madison’s 31 interceptions are third in Dolphins history, behind their early-1970s safety tandem of Jake Scott (35) and Dick Anderson (34).
The Dolphins cut bait on this contract in March 2006, as Madison was entering his age-32 season. But the veteran landed on his feet, spending the next three seasons with the Giants before retiring. He started 15 games for the 2007 Super Bowl champion Giants iteration, intercepting four passes.
Flores: Xavien Howard In ‘Unique’ Situation
The Dolphins extended Xavien Howard in 2019, making him the NFL’s highest-paid cornerback at the time. The corner market, which did not move much for several years, transformed in the time since. This has put the Dolphins in an unusual spot.
A minicamp holdout, Howard is signed through 2024 and remains the league’s sixth-highest-paid corner — at $15.1MM per year. Brian Flores confirmed Howard’s absence is contract-related and that the Dolphins have discussed this issue.
“It’s pretty clear this is a contract situation, which we’ve talked about internally,” Flores said, via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe. “X is a little bit of a unique situation. He was extended and now we’re talking about a potential renegotiation after one year. Those turn into longer conversations. We’ve obviously had a lot of talks and conversations about that and we’ll continue to have those and keep them internal, but it’s a very unique conversation.”
Teams are not big on adjusting contracts so early, which would make it surprising if the Dolphins gave Howard a new deal. Flores added that the Dolphins “love” Howard and want to retain him. The Dolphins have discussed Howard in trades, Wolfe adds, but the talks did not veer into the serious stage. Miami set a lofty asking price for the corner at last year’s deadline.
“After one year, it’s honestly something that hasn’t been done before,” Flores said of giving Howard another extension. “Not saying we’re drawing a line in the sand, but different players set the market every year.”
Howard rebounded from a five-game 2019 season to lead the NFL with 10 interceptions in 2020. His 10 picks are the most since Antonio Cromartie notched 10 in 2007. No defender has surpassed the 10-INT mark over the past 40 years, giving Howard some momentum after he also helped the Dolphins to 10 wins. The soon-to-be 28-year-old corner has led the NFL in picks twice in the past three seasons, having recorded seven in 2018. Since Howard’s seven-INT season in 2018, the cornerback salary ceiling has climbed from $15MM to $20MM AAV (Jalen Ramsey).
He joins Patriots All-Pro Stephon Gilmore as a minicamp holdout. Gilmore is three years older but has a better resume and is going into a contract year. That places the Pats’ top corner in a traditional renegotiation spot, though New England-Gilmore talks have not advanced far. Howard has moved into far less traversed territory regarding a new contract.
Adding to his unusual situation: Byron Jones‘ $16.5MM-per-year Dolphins contract. While cornerback play is about more than interceptions, Howard has a 22-4 INT advantage among the highly paid 2015 draftees. Jones’ $46MM fully guaranteed, which dwarfs Howard’s $27.2MM, still tops all corners.
The 2020 CBA prevents teams from waiving fines from training camp holdouts, giving the Dolphins more leverage. It will be interesting to see how far Howard extends this atypical absence.
Dolphins’ CB Xavien Howard To Hold Out
Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard wasn’t on hand for the early portion of Tuesday’s mandatory minicamp (Twitter link via ESPN.com’s Cameron Wolfe). Meanwhile, head coach Brian Flores told reporters that he’s not sure if Howard will show up at any point during minicamp. If he continues to keep his distance, the Dolphins can fine him ~$93K for each of the three days he’s absent.
Howard wants a new or revised deal, but he still has four years left on his five-year, $76MM extension. This year, he’s slated to make $12.1MM in base salary with a $13.5MM cap hit. In terms of earnings for this year, that puts him fifth at the position behind Stephon Gilmore, teammate Byron Jones, Trae Waynes, and Joe Haden. Howard may be particularly irked about being stationed behind Jones in ’21 compensation.
The Dolphins signed veteran cornerback Jason McCourty in May, which could provide insurance in the event of a standoff. Of course, the 33-year-old wouldn’t be a one-for-one replacement. Last year, Pro Football Focus placed McCourty of the top 75 at CB. Meanwhile, Howard was a first-team All-Pro in 2020 and a candidate for the NFL’s Defensive Player of the Year award.
Howard, 28 in July, pushed the Dolphins to trade him last year. The Dolphins obliged to some extent, but scared clubs off with a “Laremy Tunsil type” asking price.
Dolphins’ Emmanuel Ogbah To Report To Camp
Emmanuel Ogbah kept his distance during the voluntary period, but he’ll be on hand for the Dolphins’ mandatory minicamp. Agent Drew Rosenhaus confirmed his clients plans this week (via Barry Jackson of the Miami Herald), but also noted the edge rusher’s standing desire for a new deal.
[RELATED: Dolphins To Extend Jerome Baker]
“We would like to get an extension done,” Rosenhaus said. “We’ve approached the Dolphins about that. That’s as much as I can say.”
Ogbah joined the Dolphins on a two-year deal, $15MM deal last year with $7.5MM fully guaranteed. At the time, it was a player-friendly deal — Ogbah lost much of his 2019 season to a torn pectoral muscle. But, based on the strength of his partial season and 5.5 sacks, the Dolphins rolled the dice.
So far, that deal has paid off in a major way. In 2020, the defensive end notched 42 stops, nine sacks, 21 quarterback hits, three forced fumbles, and one fumble recovery. Naturally, Ogbah wants a new contract to reflect his performance, especially after Rosenhaus just scored a three-year, $39MM re-up for linebacker Jerome Baker.
Dolphins Sign T Jermaine Eluemunor
Former Patriots offensive lineman Jermaine Eluemunor will migrate to another AFC East team. The Dolphins agreed to terms with the veteran tackle Monday, Field Yates of ESPN.com tweets. They waived tackle Timon Parris to clear a roster spot.
Eluemunor spent the past two seasons in New England but was not with the team during Brian Flores‘ Foxborough tenure. The Pats used Eluemunor as a starter in 2020 but made other moves at the position this offseason. Eluemunor was part of the veteran contingent to visit the Broncos after Ja’Wuan James‘ injury, but he did not land the gig. The 26-year-old blocker will instead try to make the Dolphins’ 53-man roster.
New England deployed Eluemunor as a first-stringer in eight games last season. Marcus Cannon‘s opt-out and Isaiah Wynn‘s latest injury trouble depleted the Pats at tackle, and Eluemunor also saw action inside. The Pats, however, picked up Wynn’s fifth-year option and reacquired Trent Brown via trade. Brown is set to play right tackle in his second New England stay.
The Dolphins have a slightly younger tackle group. Austin Jackson is set to return as Miami’s top left tackle, and the team drafted Notre Dame’s Liam Eichenberg in the second round. The Dolphins are moving 2020 right tackle Robert Hunt to guard. Eluemunor, Jesse Davis and D.J. Fluker represent veteran options for an O-line that could be one of the NFL’s youngest.
This Date In Transactions History: Texans Extend Benardrick McKinney
Today marks the three-year anniversary of Benardrick McKinney‘s five-year, $50MM extension with the Texans. If you forgot to get the inside linebacker a gift, that’s alright. He probably doesn’t need much in the way of gadgets and home furnishings for his new Miami-area pad. 
McKinney, a 2015 second-round pick out of Mississippi State, emerged as one of the Texans’ top defenders in his sophomore NFL season. He was solid as a rookie, but as a second-team All-Pro nod in 2016, he finished out with 129 tackles, five sacks, and a forced fumble, ensuring that he would see a sizable pay bump in the offseason. His 2017 stat sheet wasn’t quite as gaudy – 95 tackles and three sacks – but he was still impressive and placed as Pro Football Focus’ No. 24 ranked linebacker in the NFL.
Because he was a second-round pick, the Texans didn’t have the fifth-year option as a safety net. By 2018, McKinney was set to enter his walk year, when he could potentially send his sticker price through the roof. McKinney, meanwhile, was 25 and wanted the security of a multi-year deal. It was the right time for both parties to come to the table and the Texans were happy to oblige. The deal also gave them a clearer picture of their budget as they considered an extension for Jadeveon Clowney (though they ultimately couldn’t make it work).
McKinney went on to earn a Pro Bowl nod in 2018 and racked up 100+ tackles again in 2019. Last year, however, a shoulder injury limited him to just four games. Then, the Texans were in a bit of a pickle as they had to replace franchise icon J.J. Watt. Earlier this year, they shipped McKinney to the Dolphins for edge rusher Shaq Lawson. In cap terms, the deal was pretty much a wash. But, on the field, the Texans effectively swapped Watt and McKinney for Lawson and newcomer Christian Kirksey.
Now, McKinney is set to start alongside Jerome Baker, who just landed a sizable extension of his own. When McKinney was at his best, he formed one of the league’s best run-stuffing tandems with Zach Cunningham. This Dolphins duo has the potential to be even better, if McKinney can match Baker’s strides in pass coverage.
Dolphins To Extend Jerome Baker
The Dolphins and Jerome Baker have agreed to an extension (Twitter link via NFL.com’s Ian Rapoport). The linebacker is now inked for another three years at a max value of $39MM. The deal includes $28.4MM guaranteed, though it’s not clear how much of that is fully guaranteed at signing. 
Just recently, Baker told reporters that the Dolphins “haven’t really” approached him about a new contract this offseason. Apparently, he was playing coy. Baker has quietly turned himself into a solid starting linebacker for the Dolphins, averaging 119 stops over the past two seasons. He also showed a knack for pass rushing last year, compiling seven sacks. Now, he has a contract to match his performance.
Previously, Baker was set to make $2.433MM in 2021. His new deal gives him an average annual value of $13MM/year, ahead of fellow ‘Fins inside linebacker Benardrick McKinney. In terms of new money, Baker now ranks as one of the ten highest-paid ILBs in the NFL.
The Dolphins believe in Baker, though he did miss ten tackles last year while ranking as a middle-of-the-pack LB, per Pro Football focus. Still, the Dolphins are clearly encouraged by his evolving coverage and pass rushing skills.
“I definitely look myself in the mirror and know what I need to do to get better,” Baker said earlier this month (via Adam H. Beasley of the Miami Herald). “For me, locking in on the run game, being one of those linebackers that secures the inside, not just in the pass game but in the run game.”