Miami Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead has contemplated the idea of retirement in the last few offseasons before eventually deciding to return each time. It sure sounds like he’s ready to do the same in 2025.
“We have enough. We feel like we have the talent to go win,” Armstead said of the Dolphins in an interview with Pro Football Talk on Thursday. “I think us locking in on the details, on the small things … we have to make that something that’s a huge emphasis moving forward in order to win big games.”
Armstead later told David Bearman of Pro Football Network that he’ll meet with the Dolphins “pretty soon” to discuss his future and added “I feel great.”
All that points to a player who seems motivated to return in 2025 and help the Dolphins win. But is that what Miami wants?
In the second round of the 2024 NFL draft, the Dolphins drafted Patrick Paul, who they presumably envision to be Armstead’s successor at left tackle. Austin Jackson, who was extended about a year ago, is holding down the fort on the right side.
While another year of Paul waiting in the wings behind one of the NFL’s best offensive linemen isn’t necessarily a bad thing, Armstead’s $22.8 million salary cap hit in 2025 is a headache. The Dolphins are among the most cap-crunched teams entering this offseason and they could clear $15 million by releasing Armstead with a post-June 1 designation or by trading him after the start of June.
On the field, the 33-year-old tackle has continued to be a top-flight lineman. He earned an 89.4 grade from PFF this season, third highest of his five-time Pro Bowl career, and No. 1 on the Dolphins roster in 2024.
But injuries have been a constant for Armstead throughout his career. He sat out two games in 2024 and was sidelined for stretches in another five games. In 12 years in the NFL, Armstead has never played more than 15 games in a season.
Still, Dolphins coach Mike McDaniel hasn’t been in a hurry to part with Armstead.
“What a huge piece of our team he is,” McDaniel said in December. “Just in terms of where we started off and where our mindset is in tough times or in good times. He’s one of the guys that everyone looks to. You’re always hopeful for [him to return]. I’m not taking him for granted for any moment either.”
Miami could also restructure Armstead’s deal and move as much as $9.5 million in salary cap hits further down the road. An extension could push the savings up to as much as $10.2 million. While the bill will eventually come due, that may prove to be the best course of action if Armstead decides he’s ready to stick around another season.