Dolphins GM Chris Grier on Xavien Howard's possible return, Tua talks, Waddle trade chatter
INDIANAPOLIS — Xavien Howard’s days as a Dolphin may not be over after all.
Tua Tagovailoa’s contract extension talks are ongoing. So are talks with pending free agents Christian Wilkins, Rob Hunt, Connor Williams, Andrew Van Ginkel and Isaiah Wynn.
There’s still no word on whether Terron Armstead will return or if his retirement could even trigger a search for four starting offensive linemen.
And Jaylen Waddle isn’t going anywhere.
More: Dolphins ‘responding' to special teams coordinator Danny Crossman? Sure about that? | Habib
Those were the key talking points from a discussion general manager Chris Grier had with reporters covering the Dolphins on Wednesday afternoon at the NFL Combine.
Most surprising, perhaps, is that while reflecting on one of his first draft picks for the Dolphins back in 2016, Grier suggested Howard might return, based on a long discussion they had as Howard was being released.
“He understood it was, you know, a business decision,” Grier said. “And at the end of the day, we just felt it was right for him to have this opportunity, for his agent to go see what’s out there for him, but didn’t close the door. And as we did, we said we’re going to stay in communication as the process goes and see what happens. And left the door open for him possibly coming back here.”
Howard, a four-time Pro Bowl selection, was released last week as a casualty of the salary cap. With a post-June 1 release designation, Miami can save $18.5 million, with a $7.4 million dead cap hit in 2024 and a $15.7 million cap hit in 2025.
If Howard returns, it would be at a lower salary.
Tua Tagovailoa deal won't happen overnight
Meanwhile, there’s plenty of work to be done at the negotiating table, including hammering out a long-term deal with Tagovailoa. Grier said talks have been ongoing since the start of the offseason and continue in Indianapolis, but he added it would be overly optimistic to expect a deal overnight.
“But you've seen over the last few years some of these other big deals have gone all the way into training camp,” Grier said. “Because they’re complicated deals to put together with the money and stuff people are talking about.”
Grier wouldn’t categorize the level of progress that may have been made but said the team is satisfied Tagovailoa’s concussion history shouldn’t be a concern.
Grier said the team is interested in retaining free agents Hunt, Williams, Wynn and Van Ginkel. Grier said the Dolphins spoke with Hunt’s representation during the season but he wanted to test free agency.
Of course, the team also wants to keep Wilkins, a defensive tackle who also will be a free agent unless the Dolphins use the franchise tag on him.
"I think all options are on the table for us," Grier said. "I'm going to meet here with Christian's agent this week."
Terron Armstead's decision is due soon
We should learn Armstead’s plans within two weeks, when the free-agent window opens.
“I’m really appreciative of him saying that he was going to let us know well before free agency started so we could plan,” Grier said.
One player who will be back in Dolphins colors is Waddle, the first receiver in team history with three consecutive 1,000-yard seasons. Mike Tannenbaum, the analyst who at one time ran Miami’s front office, recently suggested the Dolphins could trade Waddle for secondary help.
“No thoughts of trading Waddle,” Grier said. “We want him here for a long time. He’s a big part of our now and our future here. So he’s a great person on and off the field and we still think as good as he is, he still has a runway to keep getting better.”
Grier also believes cornerback Smith, Miami’s top pick last spring at 51st overall, has a future despite playing only 20 defensive snaps as a rookie. Grier said Pro Bowl cornerback Jalen Ramsey also is a fan.
“Talking to Jalen Ramsey the other day, he was saying how he loves Cam's game and thinks he's going to be a good player,” Grier said.
Chris Grier aware of lawsuit involving Tyreek Hill
Grier also was asked about a recent lawsuit filed in Broward County by a social media influencer accusing receiver Tyreek Hill of breaking her leg while showing her football techniques. According to the suit, the two parties first got in touch after she registered her son for his football camp at Boca Raton High in June 2023.
The suit, which seeks up to $75,000, said she required surgery to implant hardware in her right leg and permanent injury resulted.
“We were made aware of it,” Grier said. “We were in communication with NFL security. I really can't comment on that until we get all the information and find out what happened. But you know, Tyreek has been a good addition for us.”
Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.
This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Dolphins GM Chris Grier on Xavien Howard's possible return, Tua talks
