The Miami Dolphins’ very own Terron Armstead is expected to return to Miami in 2024 after pondering retirement, according to NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport Sunday. While the deal has yet to be finalized, it is expected the veteran tackle will take a paycut, helping the Dolphins open up some desperately needed cap space.
Armstead was guaranteed $5 million from his contract this season and another $8 million on March 15, the third day of the league year. In total, the five-time Pro Bowler would’ve been a $20.8 million cap hit for the Dolphins in 2024, who went into the offseason about $31.6 million over the cap.
Miami Dolphins and Terron Armstead Look to Give it Another Shot
During the 2024 NFL Combine, Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel stated that the team was giving Armstead time to weigh his options in regards to his future in the NFL.
“I have let time allow for what is an important decision for him, and let time from the season evolve so that he can give us a window into what he’s thinking. There’s a roller coaster of emotions when you’re talking about potentially leaving a game that you’re elite at and the pros and cons of that,” Said McDaniel.
While Armstead has been a pro bowl player in his two seasons with the Dolphins, he has missed 11 games in that same time span. Armstead has never had a fully healthy season over his 11-year career. Armstead spent the first nine seasons of his career with the New Orleans Saints, being named to the Pro Bowl three times and earning All-Pro Second team honors in 2018. Armstead signed a five-year contract with the Dolphins before the 2022 season.
Keeping Armstead on this season was a vital move for the Dolphins, who are set to lose at least one of their starting offensive lineman in free agency with Robert Hunt, Connor Williams and Isaiah Wynn all set to hit the market and draw attention. The Dolphins have already lost star defensive tackle Christian Wilkins to the Las Vegas Raiders.
The Dolphins will look to also restructure the contracts of some of their other star players, such as Tyreek Hill, Jalen ramsey and Zach Sieler. By offering each of them a little more money, they could potentially extend each of their contracts for a few more years, allowing them to have a lower cap hit each year and keep the talent around.
Retaining Terron Armstead is the first step in attempting to contend for a Super Bowl again in 2024 after a collapse in the second half of last season, eventually losing in the Wild Card round to the Kansas City Chiefs. The Dolphins led the AFC East for most of the season, before losing the title to the Buffalo Bills. With Aaron rodgers returning to the Jets and the Bills looking to take the title again, the Dolphins will need all the help they can get.