NFL Twitter reacted to the news of Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard signing a new five-year contract.
The Miami Dolphins have showed the money this offseason. They agreed to terms on a $120 million contract extension with Tyreek Hill, whom they acquired in a trade with the Kansas City Chiefs and signed former New Orleans Saints left tackle Terron Armstead to a $75 million contract. Now, they have agreed to a new deal with one of their star players on defense.
Miami and cornerback Xavien Howard agreed to terms on a five-year contract extension, according to his agent David Canter. Per FanSided national NFL reporter Matt Verderame, Howard will be paid $25.3 million annually and the deal gives him $50 million in new money.
Correction, $25.3M annually. More than $5M per year than the next-highest number at corner. Huge deal for a great player https://t.co/MYM5mfjQXa
— Matt Verderame (@MattVerderame) April 1, 2022
NFL Twitter shared their thoughts on Howard earning a blockbuster contract months ahead of the 2022 regular-season.
NFL Twitter reacts to Xavien Howard being highest-paid CB
The Dolphins’ spending spree includes:
— Field Yates (@FieldYates) April 2, 2022
Tyreek Hill: 4-yr, $120M
Xavien Howard: 2-yr, $50.7M
Terron Armstead: 5-yr, $87.5M max
Cedrick Wilson: 3-yr, $22.5M
Connor Williams: 2-yr, $14M
Chase Edmonds: 2-yr, $12.6M
Teddy Bridgewater: 1-yr, $6.5M
Raheem Mostert: 1-yr, $3.125M
🐬 💰
Not an April Fools joke. Dolphins have locked down their star CB Xavien Howard for foreseeable future. Another big deal in big offseason for Dolphins. https://t.co/wbRijqU2GP
— Cameron Wolfe (@CameronWolfe) April 1, 2022
Why that exact number? Xavien Howard had three years and $39,308,823 left on his old deal, so in all, he is now under for five years and $90 million. https://t.co/JN5aSPffoa
— Tom Pelissero (@TomPelissero) April 1, 2022
✔️secure the offensive line
— Marcel Louis-Jacques (@Marcel_LJ) April 2, 2022
✔️retain Ogbah and Gesicki
✔️surround Tua with talent
✔️re-sign Xavien Howard
Dolphins have hit on every major roster goal this offseason
$50,691,177 in new money to Xavien Howard & most guaranteed money for a CB in NFL history
— Warren Sharp (@SharpFootball) April 2, 2022
he's been an absolute elite ballhawk pic.twitter.com/gcj1Jtvwtl
Xavien Howard plays won 2 Dolphins games in 2021. He sealed the season-opening win at New England with a forced fumble. Against the Ravens, he punched the ball out of Sammy Watkins' arms, picked it up and ran 49 yards for a touchdown.
— Joe Schad (@schadjoe) April 2, 2022
https://twitter.com/Safid_Deen/status/1510043506584215554?s=20&t=Hk5Fc1McuXxtqyUxAHhqWA
Last July, Howard requested a trade off of the Dolphins due to his current contract via an Instagram post. Yet, the Dolphins avoided disaster by agreeing to terms on a restructured contract in early August of 2021.
Through 16 games last season, Howard recorded 50 combined tackles, 16 passes defended, five interceptions (one for a touchdown), two forced fumbles and two fumble recoveries (one for touchdown).
In coverage, Howard allowed 49 completions for 614 yards and six touchdowns on 93 targets, per Pro Football Reference.
The Dolphins entered the offseason with the most cap space in the league. They have used it to bring in some big-name players, and now, they have signed their star cornerback to a new five-year contract.