The Indianapolis Colts made a huge signing when former All-Pro cornerback Xavien Howard signed with the team right before the start of the regular season. Though there was a lot of promise for Howard making his NFL return, that is now over.
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Per multiple reports, Howard has officially retired from the NFL. This shocking decision comes just after four weeks of the former star secondary defender returning to the game of football.
Howard may have been struggling enough to realize that he was not ready to return to playing after a year’s layoff. Through four games, he gave up a 66.7 completion percentage and 124.3 passer rating to opposing quarterbacks. He also surrendered two touchdowns.
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Howard released a statement on retiring via his Instagram:
His statement reads:
“Throughout my career I’ve always played football for the love of the sport. I enjoyed everything that cam with being part of the NFL, it was my passion for the game that drove me. I love and apprecaite the Miami Dolphins for drafting me and giving me a chance to play pro football. I cannot thank the Indianapolis Colts enough for letting my continue to live out my dream but my dream has now changed.
I’ve been getting close to God and asking He directs my path. 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.
When I was away from the game in 2024, I fell in love with taking my kids to schooll, doing activities with them and watching them grow up. Up that point I had always put my family after football. I’m no longer willing to do so. So today I am retiring from the National Football League.
My purpose has been fulfilled in this sport, but my kids are more important to me than football. 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.”
Howard spent the majority of his career with the Miami Dolphins, where he played from 2016 to 2023. Following his release in 2024, he did not join any other NFL teams.
During his career, Howard has picked up 331 total tackles, two sacks, 95 passes defended, 29 interceptions, and four forced fumbles. Howard led the league with 10 interceptions during the 2020 season.
There was hope that Howard would rebound in a way that would return him to the upper echelon of secondary players in the NFL, but that appears not to be the case. He has officially retired from the NFL after eight full seasons.
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