Breaking: Vikings Agree Deal To Sign $90 Million Playmaker With Ties to Minnesota
The Minnesota Vikings prioritized strengthening their defense in free agency, and they may add Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard to their roster to carry out that plan.
With three years left on his five-year, $90 million deal extension, the Miami Dolphins cut Howard in February in order to avoid paying the 2024 salary cap. This marked the 30-year-old All-Pro cornerback’s first trip into free agency in his eight-year career.
According to Howard, who stated he is open to taking a more inexpensive contract and would rejoin with defensive coordinator Brian Flores, the Vikings are the perfect destination, according to CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell.
“In his first season in charge, defensive coordinator Brian Flores’ Minnesota Vikings unit demonstrated notable progress. They were 24th in the league in passing yards per game, but they still had trouble stopping the pass (234.5), and Flores’ clever use of smoke and mirrors was a major factor in their success. Written by Podell on March 22.
“With the exception of Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who ranked in the top 10 in the NFL in both pressures (80, 10th) and sacks (16.5, fifth), Flores had Minnesota blitzing at a league-high rate of 50.7% in an effort to counter their lack of pass rush (32.1% quarterback pressures rate, 27th in NFL),” Podell continued. Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have taken Hunter’s place. On the defensive end of the field, the Vikings could use some experience. Flores was Howard’s head coach for three seasons between 2019 and 2021. It would make sense for both parties to get back together in the Twin Cities.
Howard has a subtle relationship with Flores. From 2019 to 2021, Flores guided Howard as he advanced to receive his first All-Pro selection in 2020. In a season that resulted in three straight Pro Bowl selections, Howard led the league in interceptions with ten and allowed just a 51.2% completion percentage on targets.
The Vikings “poked around” at the possibility of signing Kansas City Chiefs star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, according to Diana Russini of The Athletic. This suggests the Vikings may still be looking to add a veteran cornerback like Howard.
Ex-Dolphins CB Xavien Howard Says He’s Open to Taking a Pay Cut
Howard discussed the possibility of joining the Houston Texans during an appearance on “The OGs Podcast” on March 19. He even stated he would accept a pay drop to play for a contender.
“I would like carrying that out. In particular, the crib at home,” Howard remarked. “I would like to join a team that will advance farther in the playoffs in exchange for a wage drop. I have my money and all that. “How much money do you really need?” is how direct I am.
With their quarterbacking concerns, the Vikings might appear far from contending, but the Texans were in a similar situation prior to selecting C.J. Stroud in the previous year. The Vikings are about to have enough cap room to add elite free agents to compliment a quarterback on a rookie-level deal.
Following the draft, if Howard is impressed with Minnesota, the Vikings have a chance to contend and draw in the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback.
Xavien Howard’s Fit With Vikings
Howard’s performance was significantly lower last season, according to Pro Football Focus grades, but that was partially because of how teams faced the Dolphins.
Teams accepted what was offered underneath rather than taking Howard and Jaleen Ramsey on the outside.
From Pro Football Reference’s inception in 2018, Howard has allowed the fewest yards per completion (10.7) while seeing the second-lowest yards per target (6.8).
Teams were unwilling to challenge Howard, as evidenced by his lone interception in 2023. Despite this, he managed an 81.3 passer rating allowed in spite of the dearth of opportunities he had to break up plays.
While the splashy plays that defined his prime haven’t surfaced the past two seasons, Howard is arguably better in coverage on a snap-to-snap basis. He could be an eraser of top receivers the Vikings face and force offenses to cut the field in half.
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