BREAKING: Dolphins Poised to Land $90 Million Playmaker With Ties to Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings prioritized strengthening their defense during free agency and could finalize their strategy by adding Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.
In February, the Miami Dolphins let go of Howard, who had three years left on his five-year, $90 million contract extension, to comply with the 2024 salary cap requirements. This move marked the first time in his eight-year career that the 30-year-old All-Pro cornerback entered free agency.
According to CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell, the Vikings are seen as a perfect destination for Howard, who expressed willingness to sign a more budget-friendly contract and potentially reunite with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
“The defense of the Minnesota Vikings notably progressed with Brian Flores as their defensive coordinator in his debut season. Nonetheless, they continued to face challenges defending against passing plays, ranking 24th in the league with an average of 234.5 passing yards surrendered per game. Much of their achievements seemed to stem from Flores’ intricate strategies, as described by Podell on March 22.
“Under Flores’ coaching, Howard blossomed, earning his first All-Pro selection in 2020. During that remarkable season, Howard topped the league with 10 interceptions and held opposing quarterbacks to a mere 51.2% completion rate when targeting him. This success led to three consecutive Pro Bowl selections for Howard.
With Flores previously mentoring him from 2019 to 2021, reuniting in Minnesota could benefit both sides. Flores aimed to bolster the Vikings’ pass rush, especially with the departure of star edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who was instrumental in generating pressure. Now, with Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel stepping in, the Vikings could benefit from Howard’s veteran experience to strengthen their defense.
he Vikings showed interest in potentially bringing on board Kansas City Chiefs standout cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, as reported by The Athletic’s Diana Russini. This indicates that the Vikings may still be considering acquiring an experienced cornerback such as Howard.
On March 19, during an episode of “The OGs Podcast,” Howard discussed the possibility of playing for the Houston Texans and expressed willingness to accept a reduced salary to join a competitive team. He mentioned his preference for playing in his hometown and emphasized his readiness to prioritize success in the playoffs over maximizing his earnings, questioning the necessity of accumulating excessive wealth.
The Vikings might appear distant from being competitive due to uncertainties at quarterback, yet just a year ago, the Texans were in a similar situation before selecting C.J. Stroud. Soon, the Vikings will have significant salary cap room to recruit high-quality free agents to support a rookie-contract quarterback.
If Howard approves of Minnesota’s direction post-draft, there’s a genuine chance for the Vikings to vie for success, potentially enticing the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
Pro evaluations from Pro Football Focus indicate a notable decrease in Howard’s performance in the past season, which can be attributed in part to the defensive strategies employed by opposing teams against the Dolphins.
Instead of actively taking on Howard and Jalen Ramsey on the perimeter, teams opted to exploit the opportunities underneath. Howard maintained an impressive statistic of the second-lowest yards per target at 6.8. Interestingly, he also conceded the least amount of yards per completion at 10.7 since Pro Football Reference began recording advanced metrics in 2018.
In the 2023 season, Howard only managed to secure a single interception, indicating that opposing teams were reluctant to test his abilities. Despite the limited chances to disrupt plays, he maintained a solid 81.3 passer rating allowed.
Although he hasn’t made as many flashy plays as he did in his prime over the last two seasons, Howard’s coverage skills on a play-by-play basis have arguably improved. He has the potential to neutralize top receivers that the Vikings encounter, compelling offenses to limit their options on the field.
