The Miami Dolphins addressed their most pressing issue as they wrapped up what could be considered the first phase of training camp when they restructured the contract of All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard.
So as they prepared to head to Chicago for joint practices with the Bears followed by their preseason opener at Soldier Field, the Dolphins had settled the issue of Howard a little less than two weeks after he requested a trade on Instagram.
While it might not have been a long-term solution — the Dolphins agreed to revisit Howard’s contract next offseason — it assured they’d have the services of their most important player in 2021.
And, let’s be realistic, the Dolphins wouldn’t have been nearly as good this season without Howard manning one of the outside cornerback spots.
With Howard on board, the hope is the Dolphins can take the next step after knocking on the door of the playoffs in 2020 and burst into the postseason for the first time since 2016.
If that’s going to happen, there are two things that positively, absolutely have to happen.
First, Tua Tagovailoa has to take a significant step forward in his second NFL season.
Continue reading your story on the app
Continue reading your story in the magazine
Q&A with Miami Dolphins Legend Richmond Webb
I was lucky enough to interview the legend, Richmond Webb. For those Dolphins fans who live under a rock, Webb is one of the greatest Miami Dolphins players ever and their greatest left tackle of all time.
To do list
GAME PLAN
Putting the pieces together
Analyzing the 53-man roster
You're in Safe Hands with the Dolphins Safeties
After an off-season where the Miami Dolphins had daily drama surrounding who would be the quarterback, which coordinator was really calling the plays, and does their number one pick have a limp, went into Foxborough and did something they’ve only done once since 2008.
Xavien Howard worth every penny
The Miami Dolphins were in the news daily during the offseason, but it was mainly regarding starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa.
Head coach Brian Flores talks about the Raekwon Davis injury, beating New England Week 1, Tua Tagovailoa, Noah Igbinoghene and more
COACH SPEAK
Offensive line an early season concern
PARTING SHOTS
Jaylen Waddle is as advertised
The 2021 first-round pick has been a bright spot for the Dolphins
Can Miami tackle their tackle issues?
The Miami Dolphins currently have a 2020 first-round pick, a 2021 second-round pick, a 2019 second-round pick, and a player who has started 56 games for them over the last four seasons to choose from at right and left tackle.
AROUND THE AFC EAST
The race for the AFC East crown gets started
2022 NFL Draft
Today's Sports Pick
Tom & Gisele: MARRIAGE IN CRISIS
AFTER AGREEING TO RETIRE TO SPEND MORE TIME WITH HIS FAMILY, FOOTBALL GREAT TOM BRADY BETRAYS HIS PROMISE TO WIFE GISELE BÜNDCHEN — AND SHE’S FURIOUS!
Christopher Mitchum
The reluctant Western star shares memories of his acting career.
Tom Betrays Gisele!
Less than two months after announcing his retirement, Tom Brady is back, breaking his promise to his wife
The Wall of Sharks
Joshua Shankle explores French Polynesia’s ‘dangerous archipelago’ above and below the surface
What's Really Going on With Wendy?
When Wells Fargo froze Wendy Williams’ assets in early February, the bank claimed it had “strong reason to believe” the 57-year-old had become “victim to undue influence and exploitation.”
Get ready for the Super Bowl of gambling. There's a football game, too
A decade ago, one knowledgeable authority had deep reservations about the idea of the National Football League ever embracing legalized gambling. It would create a corrosive atmosphere in which every penalty or dropped pass—the normal ebbs and flows of games—“inevitably will fuel speculation, distrust, and accusations of point-shaving or game-fixing.” The moralist was none other than NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, declaring the league’s opposition to expanding sports bookmaking outside of Nevada.
Family, Faith and Football
A new movie tells the story of NFL Hall of Famer Kurt Warner’s against-the odds rise to stardom
B'BALL WIFE'S OFFER: GO FIND ANOTHER BABY MAMA!
Reggie Youngblood and Tami Roman tied the knot in 2018
The passion of Papa John
After stepping down three years ago following the revelation that he’d uttered a racist slur on a corporate call, John Schnatter is wandering the wilderness of TikTok and conservative media, criticizing the company he founded even as he dreams of a return