Xavien Howard, a four-time Pro Bowl cornerback whose 29 interceptions are only six shy of the Dolphins’ all-time career record, will be released, an NFL source confirmed to The Post on Friday.

The move isn’t a surprise.

Howard was due to count $25.9 million against the salary cap in 2024, fourth-highest on the team, so speculation was rampant this move was coming.

Plus, Howard seemed resigned to leaving as the players cleaned out their lockers after the playoff loss in Kansas City.

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“My eight years here, I’ve made the best of it,” he said. “If this year is the last year and I have to say goodbye to some of the guys here, I understand. It’s part of the business.”

Howard also posted a message this week on social media quoting Usher as saying, “Sometimes you got to leave.”

Howard, who turns 31 in July, was the Dolphins’ second-round pick (38th overall) out of Baylor in 2016. He played 100 games, starting all but one, with 331 tackles, 95 passes defensed, four forced fumbles, five fumble recoveries and two interception returns for touchdowns. He also returned two fumbles for TDs.

Howard’s 29 interceptions since 2017 lead the NFL. The only players with more interceptions in Dolphins history are Jake Scott (35), Dick Anderson (34) and Sam Madison (31).

Howard was named All-Pro in 2020 when he led the NFL with 10 interceptions and 20 passes defensed. Howard led the NFL with seven interceptions in 2018, too.

While Howard’s departure gives the Dolphins cap relief, it also creates a need for a cornerback opposite Jalen Ramsey.

With a post-June 1 release designation, Miami can save $18.5 million, with a $7.4 million dead cap hit in 2024 and a $15.7 million cap hit in 2025.

Dolphins reporter Hal Habib can be reached at  hhabib@pbpost.com. Follow him on social media @gunnerhal. Click here to subscribe.

This article originally appeared on Palm Beach Post: Pro Bowl CB Xavien Howard is being released by Miami Dolphins