After the All-Pro cornerback asked for a trade, the Miami Dolphins have restructured Xavien's contract.Brian Flores, Coach, stated that the organization was "excited" about the agreement but didn't disclose specific details.Flores stated that compromise is essential in any negotiation.Sources confirmed that Howard's 2021 base salary was $12.785 Million and that he received a maximum $3.5 million in incentive payments.He had a major issue with his contract before it was restructured. It was to pay $12,000,000 in nonguaranteed cash in 2021. This was despite Howard's league-leading 10 interceptions for 2020.Sources said that the Dolphins also agreed with Howard to pay $93,000 in fines for skipping team's mandatory minicamp.Sources said that the Dolphins made adjustments to Howard’s contact for the 2022 season and fully guaranteed $6.775 million of Howard's salary. Howard's $12.975 million salary will still be guaranteed against injury. It will be fully guaranteed by the start of the new league year. He also received $500,000 per-game roster bonuses, and a $100,000 work bonus.According to sources, Howard, 28, was also assured that the Dolphins would renegotiate an offseason deal in line with market conditions based on his performance in 2021.Howard was the NFL's highest-paid cornerback in 2019, when he signed his $75.1 million five-year extension. However, he has fallen to sixth. In an Instagram post, he pointed out that Byron Jones was now the highest-paid cornerback in the NFL. Jones signed a $52.5 million, five-year deal before the 2020 offseason.Howard was the NFL's leading player with 10 interceptions, 20 passes defended and was named All-Pro first team. Since joining the league in 2016 from Baylor, Howard has accumulated 22 interceptions and 55 passes defensed. Only Marcus Peters (23) of the Baltimore Ravens has more picks in that time span.NFL Network first reported the details of Howard's restructuring contract.
