Jalen Ramsey says goodbye as Xavien Howard and the Miami Dolphins go their separate ways.
The NFL offseason never sleeps, and yesterday was no exception.
First, the Miami Dolphins released veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah, saving the team approximately $13 million in 2024. The organization has apparently reached a decision on a player that supporters have had the opportunity to watch since he was taken in the second round of the 2016 draft.
According to many sources, the Dolphins want to move on from CB Xavien Howard this summer. This move comes just a month after Howard raised eyebrows with an open question about whether he’d be prepared to take a pay reduction for a team with so many financial considerations to make. This is what Howard said:
CB Xavien Howard recalls, “I thoroughly enjoyed my eight years here. And whatever occurs, I am with it.”
Howard asked whether he’d take a wage cut. Would you take a pay cut if your boss asked you to? Do not blame him, lol.
10:22 AM, January 15, 2024.
Spotrac estimates that the move will save the Dolphins $18.5 million in cap space this season. This is presuming Howard is one of the team’s two post-June 1 cuts. This would leave the team with 7.4 million in dead money in 2024. Howard’s dead cap for 2025 would be $15.699 million.
Howard established himself as one of the top cornerbacks in Dolphins history during his eight-season tenure, compiling 29 interceptions and 95 pass breaks. He also has 331 tackles, two sacks, five forced fumbles, and six total touchdowns.
Sure, Howard’s exit was inevitable, but that doesn’t make it any less easy. After all, he was once one of Miami’s defensive standouts. He’d been through one regime change after another, and this year, under defensive coordinator Vic Fangio, was supposed to be different.
However, sometime along the route, the wheels fell off. Whether it was early in the season with Jalen Ramsey’s terrible injury or the few games Howard missed, things never seemed to pick up. And, contrary to popular belief, Vic Fangio, previous defensive coordinator, played a role in this.
Here’s what Ramsey said on Twitter yesterday, saying goodbye to X.
Teaming up with the greatest cornerback in @MiamiDolphins history was an honor, despite the unpredictable nature of the game. ❌
(I will never forgive dude for not utilizing our whole skill set!
Have you seen it? I know you did, and it makes you wonder if we will ever know what happened behind closed doors. We heard allegations that Fangio refused to listen to other coordinators’ suggestions, and we had players who were dissatisfied with way they were used this season.
Ramsey and Howard had the potential to be so much more, and all we can do now is wonder what if. But that debate won’t last long because, with Howard gone, Miami will need to find a worthy replacement—someone who can fill the shoes of one of the best cornerbacks this club has ever had.
His best days may be behind him, but Xavien Howard is a stud, and I’m glad I got to watch him play for my favorite team.
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