Brian Flores wants Xavien Howard to stay in Miami
Xavien Howard wants out of Miami, but Dolphins head coach Brian Flores doesn't want to let him go.
The first-team All-Pro cornerback snagged a league-leading 10 interceptions in 2020, and he wants to be rewarded for his efforts with an adjustment on his five-year extension he signed in 2019.
Miami hasn't budged, so Howard requested a trade last week. The Dolphins have been working other corners out at training camp as the Pro Bowler nurses an ankle injury. Howard has appeared at practice despite the public trade demand.
Flores told reporters Friday that Miami is not interested in letting Howard loose.
"We don't want to trade X. You can write that down," Flores said, via the NFL Network's Cameron Wolfe. "He's a very good player. He's a big part of the team. We don't want to trade him."
The Dolphins are a little over a month out from their season opener against the New England Patriots, Flores' former team. Outside of the ongoing contract negotiations, things don't seem too dicey between Howard and the team at the moment. Flores praised Howard for his presence at practice and for supporting his teammates.
But the conflict isn't resolved.
"Talks are progressing. You take from that what you want," Flores said. "As long as everyone is willing to compromise, we can get something done."
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