Dolphins are keeping the door open for Howard return
INDIANAPOLIS
Despite informing cornerback Xavien Howard that he will be released at the start of the new league year, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier said the team is open to bringing back the four-time Pro Bowler.
Grier, speaking at the NFL Scouting Combine, called the decision to release Howard a “tough one.” But he added that he would stay in contact with Howard, who was the team’s longest-tenured player, about a possible return.
“We had a long discussion and he understood it was a business decision,” Grier said Wednesday. “And at the end of the day, I just felt it was right for him to have this opportunity for his agent to go see what’s out there for him. But didn’t close the door and said we’re going to stay in communication as the process goes and see what happens and left the door open for him possibly coming back here, too.”
Releasing Howard saves the Dolphins $18.5 million in cap space but Miami won’t be able to use it until June 2 as it is a postJune 1 cut. Howard, who turns 31 in July, spent the last eight seasons in Miami after being selected in the second round of the 2016 NFL Draft.
While Howard’s release makes cornerback another offseason need for the Dolphins, Grier expressed confidence in Cam Smith, the team’s second-round pick in the 2023 Draft who played sparingly as a rookie. Grier said injuries and learning former defensive coordinator Vic Fangio’s scheme presented hurdles but expressed confidence in his future.
“We have very strong belief in him,” Grier said.
He added: “He’s attacking the offseason. So, we’re all very excited to see him with an opportunity to play. But he’s going to have to compete and earn it. Kader [Kohou’s] not going to give it up to him. It’ll be good and then obviously we’ll be bringing in some other people here, too, and maybe ‘X’ is back. Who knows.”
ARMSTEAD DECISION COMING SOON
One day after Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel said he is still giving left tackle Terron Armstead time to make a retirement decision, Grier said a decision is expected before the start of free agency.
Grier said he spoke with Armstead before the Pro Bowl in early February and that he expects to hear from him on his plans before free agency opens on March 13.
“We just said we’re going to talk before the start of the year and free agency happened,” Grier said, “and he was going to let us know ... so it doesn’t affect us. We’re preparing either way. You have to. But love Terron and would love to have him back.
But, listen, he’s done so much in this league and what he battled through last year to play for us, we’re very respectful and really appreciative of him saying that he was going to let us know well before free agency started so we can plan.”
The Miami Herald previously reported that the expectation is that Armstead will return to play his 12th season.
Armstead missed seven games because of injury in 2023 and has missed 11 games since joining Miami. He has never played the entirety of a season, which he said is a goal of his.
Armstead, who turns 33 in July, just completed the second year of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed in the 2022 offseason. $5 million of Armstead’s
$13.25 million 2024 base salary is already guaranteed and $8.25 million becomes guaranteed on March 16.
DOLPHINS ASSESSING BAKER STATUS
The Dolphins, who are currently about $30 million over the cap, still need to become compliant before the start of the new league year. Inside linebacker Jerome Baker has been speculated as a cap casualty since he has no guaranteed money on his contract.
When asked if Baker would be on the team in 2024 and whether a contract restructure was possible, Grier said: “We’d love to have Baker here. I think the big thing for us was to have the new defensive staff come in, spend time watching the team, watching the defense as a staff together. And then once we have those discussions with the defensive staff, Mike and I will get together then we’ll make that decision here in the next couple weeks.”
The Dolphins could save $9.8 million in cap space by releasing Baker with a pre-June 1 designation and $11 million with a post-June 1 designation. In 2023, Baker appeared in 13 games, recording 78 tackles and 1.5 sacks.
GRIER: NO WADDLE TRADE
Grier threw cold water on the possibility of trading wide receiver Jaylen Waddle after a hypothetical deal from former Dolphins exec Mike Tannebaum went viral on social media and even caught Waddle’s attention.
Tannebaum, speaking on ESPN’s “Get Up” last week, suggested a hypothetical trade in which Miami sent Waddle to the Kansas City Chiefs for cornerback Trent McDuffie.
Hill wrote on X (formerly known as Twitter) that the idea of trading Waddle is ludicrous, and Waddle responded to the post, poking fun at himself.
Grier said the Dolphins “have no thoughts of trading” Waddle.
“We want [Waddle] here for a long time,”
Grier said, “and we think he’s a big part of our now and our future here. He’s a great person on and off the field, and we still think as good as he is, he still has runway to keep getting better.”
DOLPHINS NO. 1 IN NFLPA REPORT CARD
The Dolphins ranked as the No. 1 team in the NFL in the second annual “report card” on working conditions released by the NFL Players Association on Wednesday.
After finishing second to the Minnesota Vikings last year, Miami rose to the top spot, with an A- or higher in all 11 categories. The Dolphins finished first in six categories: food/ cafeteria, training room, training staff, weight room, team travel and ownership.
“Club owner Stephen Ross is the highest-graded club owner in our survey, receiving a near perfect score,” the report said. “The club owner’s ranking reflects the strong performance in key areas that players care about, including the quality of their facilities, the comfort of players’ travel, and the quality and quantity of staff across multiple categories.
“The state-of-the-art facilities continue to impress, but more importantly, are complemented by the number of quality trainers, strength coaches and other support staff who help make the workplace experience one of the best across the league.”’
McDaniel also scored highly, rated No. 8 out of 32 head coaches. 94 percent of Dolphins players who responded said they “feel Mike McDaniel is efficient with their time,” which ranked 14th overall.
“The players feel that Mike McDaniel is very willing to listen to the locker room,” the report said.
According to the NFLPA, 1,706 active NFL players — which is about 77 percent of the league — completed the survey.
The Vikings, Packers, Eagles and Jaguars rounded out the top, while the Commanders, Chiefs and Chargers were bottom three in grades.
“I think it’s a testament to Steve Ross just for what he’s built in terms of facility and the people he’s allowed us to hire,” Grier said.
He added: “I give Steve a lot of credit on that for driving us to be the best in the business.”
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