Vikings Are About to Sign a $90 Million Playmaker with Minnesota ties
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.
“In an effort to counter their deficiency in pass rush (32.1% QB pressures rate, 27th in NFL) without Pro Bowl edge rusher Danielle Hunter—who placed 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%,” Podell continued. Hunter has left, and Andrew Van Ginkel and Jonathan Greenard have taken his place. The Vikings would benefit from some experience as Howard’s head coach from 2019 to 2021, Flores worked with the defense’s back end for three seasons. 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.
