Xavien Howard Details Sudden Retirement

Former Pro Bowl and All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard has called it a career after a lackluster performance through the first four weeks of the season.

Sam Eguavoen (49) and Xavien Howard (25) of the Miami Dolphins kneel before the game against the New England Patriots at Gillette Stadium in Foxborough, Mass., on Sept. 13, 2020. Kathryn Riley/Getty Images

Four-time Pro Bowl cornerback Xavien Howard, 32, abruptly retired on Wednesday from the Indianapolis Colts.

Howard had a successful career with the Miami Dolphins from 2016 to 2024, followed by his brief time with the Colts. The former Baylor Bears star had 29 interceptions, four defensive touchdowns, 95 pass deflections, six fumble recoveries, four forced fumbles, 342 tackles, and two sacks in his career, which included All-Pro honors twice.

“I’ve been getting closer to God and asking that He directs my path,” Howard wrote in an Instagram post on Wednesday. “I am a man of faith, and I believe wholeheartedly that He doesn’t make mistakes. He has led me to ending my career. I am now putting God and my priorities first.

“My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football,” Howard added. “I’ve had a hell of a career, and even though it’s ending in a unique way, I’m cool with that because for once I’m putting my family first, and I’m proud and excited about that decision.”

Against the Los Angeles Rams in Week 4, his final game of his career, Howard couldn’t slow down Rams wide receivers Davante Adams and Puka Nacua in a 27–20 loss. Nacua had 170 yards receiving, and much of that came against Howard. Adams also gained yards against Howard during the game, though Colts cornerback Charvarius Ward usually handled coverage duties against Adams.

In four games, Howard had 11 tackles overall and a fumble recovery. Despite questions about his performance, Colts head coach Shane Steichen wasn’t set on benching or releasing Howard.

“As the head coach, obviously, I have final decision on all those things and we have those conversations throughout the week,” Steichen told reporters on Wednesday. “Looking back, too, with Xavien, those were two elite receivers [Nacua and Adams] that we were going up against last week. So, again, we'll go through the process this week and evaluate everything like we do every week.”

Howard was released by the Dolphins in March 2024 and didn’t play in the 2024 season. His 2023 campaign consisted of 45 tackles and an interception in 13 games.

Indianapolis signed him to a one-year deal with the Colts this year. A Houston native, Howard became a prep star at Wheatley before a standout career with Baylor, where he tallied 10 interceptions and 98 tackles in three seasons.

“Throughout my career, I’ve always played football for the love of the sport,” Howard wrote. “I enjoyed everything that came with being part of the NFL, it was my passion for the game that drove me.

“I love and appreciated the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me the chance to play pro football,” Howard added. “I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting me continue to live out my dream, but my dream has now changed.”

Miami took him with a second-round pick in 2016 and became an instant starter for the Dolphins. The Colts started him in all four games this season before his retirement announcement.

“When I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to school, doing activities with them, and watching them grow up,” Howard wrote. “Up to that point I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so.”

Despite Howard’s decline, he leaves a noticeable void with the Colts as cornerbacks Jaylon Jones and Justin Walley remain on injured reserve. Indianapolis added cornerback depth on Wednesday with the signing of undrafted free agent Keenan Garber to the practice squad.

Garber played six seasons at Kansas State and tallied two interceptions and 46 tackles in 59 career games. He spent the preseason with the Minnesota Vikings before the team released him.