The Minnesota Vikings made bolstering their defense a key focus in free agency and may finalize that strategy by adding Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard.
In February, the Miami Dolphins released Howard with three years left on his five-year, $90 million contract extension to comply with the 2024 salary cap, making the 30-year-old All-Pro cornerback a free agent for the first time in his eight-year career.
CBS Sports’ Garrett Podell suggested the Vikings as an ideal destination for Howard, who expressed willingness to sign a more team-friendly deal and reunite with defensive coordinator Brian Flores.
Podell highlighted the Vikings’ defensive improvement under Flores in his first season, noting their struggles against the pass (234.5 passing yards per game, 24th in the league). He mentioned Flores’ aggressive blitzing approach (50.7% blitz rate, highest in the league) to compensate for their modest pass rush (32.1% quarterback pressures rate, 27th in NFL) beyond Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter, who ranked top 10 in pressures (80, 10th) and sacks (16.5, fifth). With Hunter now gone, replaced by Jonathan Greenard and Andrew Van Ginkel, Podell suggested the Vikings could benefit from a seasoned cornerback like Howard in their secondary. Flores had coached Howard for three seasons (2019-2021), coinciding with Howard’s rise to his first All-Pro nod in 2020, where he led the league with 10 interceptions and allowed just a 51.2% completion rate on targets his way, earning three consecutive Pro Bowl appearances.
Despite this, Howard’s connection to Flores has been relatively overlooked. According to The Athletic’s Diana Russini, the Vikings have shown interest in signing Kansas City Chiefs star cornerback L’Jarius Sneed, indicating that they might still be in the market for a veteran cornerback like Howard.
Former Miami Dolphins cornerback Xavien Howard has indicated that he is willing to consider a salary reduction as he enters free agency.
During a March 19 interview on “The OGs Podcast,” Xavien Howard expressed interest in potentially joining the Houston Texans and suggested he would be willing to take a pay cut to join a competitive team.
“I would love to do that. Especially back at home, the crib,” Howard stated. “I’d rather take a pay cut to go to a team that’s going to go further in the playoffs. I got my money and stuff like that. I’m to the point, like, ‘How much money do you really need?’”
While the Minnesota Vikings may not appear to be immediate contenders due to uncertainties at quarterback, the Texans were in a similar position last year before selecting C.J. Stroud in the draft. The Vikings are poised to have significant cap space to sign top free agents to complement a quarterback on a rookie contract.
If Howard is impressed by Minnesota’s post-draft outlook, the Vikings could make a compelling case for contention, potentially enticing the four-time Pro Bowl cornerback to join the team.
