Xavien Howard agreed to a five-year, $90,000,000 contract with the Miami Dolphins, which included a $13,770,000 signing bonus, $36,300,000 in guarantees, and an average yearly salary of $18,000,000.

However, it appears that they agreed to overlook that contract and sign this one as a new contract replacing the prior one. Howard’s previous contract had three years still to run, and the new money average for this contract is $25.35 million.

The fully guaranteed contract for $16.985 million in 2023 included Howard’s $13.77 million signing bonus. Howard became the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL on May 9, 2019, when he agreed to a five-year, $76.5 million contract extension with the Dolphins, with $46 million guaranteed.

In 2016, he was chosen as the sixth cornerback overall. Along with Byron Maxwell, he was given the starting cornerback position to begin the regular season.

First-time second-team All-Pro and Pro Bowl honors were given to Howard. He received his first-ever first-team All-Pro recognition on January 8, 2021.

Career Earnings

Year Salary
2022 $1,035,000
2023 $1,165,000
2024 $15,400,000
2025 $13,650,000
2026 $15,150,000

Howard stated in July 2021 that he had asked the Dolphins for a transfer because he felt unappreciated and underpaid. He also added, “I am only here so I don’t get fined,” in reference to his attendance at training camp. Howard’s contract was modified by the Dolphins on August 8 so that incentives and bonuses would make him the highest-paid cornerback in 2021.

Awards

1. First-team All-Pro (2020)

2. Second-team All-Pro (2018)

3. 3× Pro Bowl (2018, 2020, 2021)

4. 2× NFL interceptions leader (2018, 2020)

5. first team All-Big 12 (2015)

Source: