Just four games into the season, Former four-time Pro Bowler cornerback Xavien Howard has stunned the Indianapolis Colts and the NFL by announcing his retirement.

After sitting out the entire 2024 season, Howard, 32, signed with Indianapolis back in August, according to CBS Sports. He previously played eight seasons with the Miami Dolphins.

Taking to social media, Howard officially announced that he was hanging up his cleats.

"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 in his retirement post. "Up to 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." 

"I've had a hell of a career," Howard continued, "and even though it's ending in a unique way, I'm cool with that because for once I am putting my family first and I'm proud and excited about that decision." 

Although he’s started each game for the Colts, Howard has been struggling against wide receivers this season. During the Colts' loss to the Rams in Week 4, he allowed seven completions on 10 targets for 112 yards and a touchdown. Rams wideout Puka Nacua caught 13 passes for 170 yards with Howard as the primary defender.

In his decorated career, Howard was a four-time Pro Bowl selection and was named an All-Pro twice (First-Team in 2020 and Second-Team in 2018). On two occasions, he led the league in interceptions, including recording a career-high 10 picks in 2020. He finished his career with 29 interceptions and 95 passes defensed over 104 games.