NEW DELHI: The Miami Dolphins made significant roster moves on Friday, parting ways with veteran defensive end Emmanuel Ogbah and informing cornerback Xavien Howard of his impending release.
Howard, a four-time Pro Bowl selection and former first-team All-Pro, has been a cornerstone of the Dolphins’ defense for eight seasons. His tenure with Miami saw him amass an impressive 29 interceptions, leading the NFL in interceptions in 2018 and 2020.Despite his stellar performance, the Dolphins have opted to release him, a move that will save the team a significant $18.5 million in cap space if executed as a post-June 1 cut.

On the other hand, Ogbah, who signed with the Dolphins as an unrestricted free agent in 2020, has also been let go. The defensive end, known for his consistent pass-rushing ability, earned a four-year, $65 million extension in 2022 after recording nine sacks in each of his first two seasons with the team. However, his 2022 campaign was marred by injuries, limiting him to just nine games and one sack. Releasing Ogbah before June 1 will provide the Dolphins with $13.7 million in cap relief.

Despite his recent injury setback, Ogbah’s track record includes stints with the Cleveland Browns, Kansas City Chiefs, and the Dolphins, where he tallied a total of 42.5 sacks and eight forced fumbles in 107 games. Notably, he was part of the Chiefs’ Super Bowl LIV-winning team during his time in Kansas City.
With both Ogbah and Howard set to depart, the Dolphins will undergo significant changes on the defensive side as they look to reshape their roster ahead of the upcoming season.
(Inputs from Reuters)