Dolphins’ Brian Flores reacts to Xavien Howard’s trade request: ‘We understand his concerns’
Miami Dolphins coach Brian Flores reacted to All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard’s requested trade on Wednesday morning, before his team took the field for its first training camp practice.
“We understand his concerns,” Flores told 560-AM. “Look, X is a great player, good teammate. His teammates love playing with him. I love coaching him. Obviously, we’ve had discussions with him, his representation. I talked to him yesterday. I’ll keep all those conversations between us, including his contract situation.
“I guess the plan is to continue to have discussions on our part, continue to have talks with him and his representation.”
Howard avoided a holdout — and $50,000 daily fines — by reporting to training camp on Tuesday. By Tuesday night, he took to Instagram to announce his trade desires before Wednesday’s first practice.
“We love X,” Flores said. “He’s a good player. He’s competitive. He’s here. He’s showing up. We expect him to contribute the same way he has. He was out there [Tuesday], passed his conditioning test. He’s in good shape. We understand his concerns, and we’ll just try to work through this as best we can.”
Flores was asked specifically if he’s still confident the team can work through the ordeal, keeping Howard with the Dolphins and happy in Miami.
“There’s a way,” Flores said. “I think we just continue to have discussions with him, his representation, and keep the lines of communication open, continue having dialogue and, hopefully, work something out. At the same time, we’ve got 90, 89 other guys that we’ll be working with, to include X. Try to build this team and improve on a day-to-day basis, build team chemistry. That’s where most of our focus is. The X thing is something we’re having discussions about, as well.”
On Howard’s end, in his statement released Tuesday night, he wrote, “Until that trade happens I am just here so I don’t get fined, and will handle myself like professionals do.”
