Dolphins Set to Release Two Notable Defensive Players Despite Salary Cap Spike, per Reports

Both players were in the middle of big contracts.

The Miami Dolphins are releasing veteran cornerback Xavien Howard and defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah ahead of the new league year, per multiple reports.

Howard has been a Dolphin since Miami drafted him in 2016, establishing himself as one of the best corners in the league. In eight seasons, Howard totaled 29 interceptions—leading the NFL in that category twice—and earned four Pro Bowl appearances and two All-Pro nods.

Miami signed Howard to a five-year, $75 million contract that started in the 2022 NFL season, and the corner had three years left on his contract. Howard appeared in 13 games for the Dolphins in 2023, recording 45 tackles and just one interception.

Xavien Howard is expected to be released after eight years with the Dolphins :: Nathan Ray Seebeck/USA Today sports

Ogbah is also an eight-year veteran who spent each of the past four years with the Dolphins. Miami signed Ogbah to a four-year, $65.4 million contract in 2022, meaning the veteran had two years left on his deal with the team. Ogbah played in 15 games last year, totaling 20 tackles and 5.5 sacks.

The Dolphins news comes despite the NFL’s announcement that the salary cap will increase by a record $30.6 million, the largest year-to-year spike in league history.