So Much In Miami Hinges On A Fully Healthy Terron Armstead
Mandatory Credit: Sam Navarro-USA TODAY Sports
It is no secret that the Miami Dolphins will be an Olympic-caliber track team in 2024.
The Miami Dolphins track team adds another runner đź’¨ (@PFF) #GoFins pic.twitter.com/CNmt0JuzkO
— FinsXtra (@FinsXtra) April 27, 2024
Tua Tagovailoa’s long passes to Tyreek Hill will undoubtedly be a staple of NFL highlight reels once again this season. However, Hill has bigger aspirations than getting a paycheck and helping out fantasy teams.
“It’s cool to get paid and all that,” Hill said. “But being able to win a Super Bowl and bring something special to the city of Miami, that’s something that can live with us forever. I believe that’s very monumental for all of us. Create greatness.”
For those Super Bowl dreams to become a reality, Miami needs its core of star players to be healthy. While there will be no shortage of speedy skill players, the offensive line will be a huge question mark, especially after losing offensive linemen Robert Hunt and Connor Williams in free agency. Perhaps the most important player on the o-line is the one that Miami signed to a blockbuster five year deal back in 2022.
Terron Armstead when healthy in 2023
349 pass-blocking snaps
7 QB pressures allowed
1 sack allowedđź‘Ź pic.twitter.com/sBsLvmII2D
— PFF MIA Dolphins (@PFF_Dolphins) March 11, 2024
When healthy, Armstead has been arguably the best member of the Dolphins’ offensive line since he joined the team two offseasons ago. While the left tackle has made the Pro Bowl in each of his two seasons since joining Miami, he has been far from fully healthy. In 2022, he missed Week 6 and 13, as well as the Dolphins’ final three games (one of which was in the postseason) due to toe and pectoral injuries. 2023 was even rockier, as he missed six of the first eight games after suffering back and knee injuries, the latter of which landed him on the IR for four games.
The injuries piled up so significantly that Armstead understandably considered retirement. However, the star left tackle ultimately decided to play in 2024.
“Ultimately, this is where I belong,” Armstead said. “This is where I’m supposed to be. I love what we are as a team. I love our opportunity we have in front of us. We left a lot on the table last year, and it’s time to finish.”
Armstead came to an agreement with Miami in March on a restructured contract that would ensure he stays with the team.
Terron Armstead's reworked contract is now accounted for with an explanation of how it was adjusted.
The Dolphins get about $10 million in cap relief in 2024 and add void years to spread out the remaining cap hits. pic.twitter.com/uq4v4GsI2m
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) March 15, 2024
Even with his decision to return in 2024, there is still a very real possibility that Armstead will retire after this upcoming season, especially since his contract doesn’t include any guaranteed money beyond 2024. Despite this, GM Chris Grier is grateful for the impact that the offensive tackle will bring to the young players on the roster.
“I’ve gotten to know him over the last couple years — he is a fantastic person,” Grier said. “So I’m very glad he is coming back because he has impacted that room so much with those young guys and helped Austin (Jackson) and all those guys grow and Liam (Eichenberg), so having him back is important. But you always look at every position when you kind of go through it and try and look and try and anticipate what some of the issues could be in the future.”
Due to these uncertainties, Miami has begun to implement their backup plan, as they selected Houston offensive tackle Patrick Paul in the second round of this year’s draft.
“He’s a mentor of the game,” Paul said. “One of the things he told me that I can relate to is the small victories every day. Win your set. Don’t just try to get it all done in one day. Just stack days and improve 1 percent each day … I’ve watched him throughout his career. I love watching offensive tackles, and he’s one that I studied in college. It’s surreal being here right now.”
In 2024, Terron Armstead will be the veteran presence that will mentor Patrick Paul as he adjusts to life in the NFL, and he will ensure that Paul doesn’t have to start right away. Paul, on the other hand, will be given opportunities to play should Armstead go down with an injury. He can even be the heir to the starting left tackle position if Armstead retires after this season. It’s very similar to what the Bengals are doing at right tackle with veteran Trent Brown and their first round pick Amarius Mims.
Miami does, however, need Armstead to remain healthy and overcome his nagging injuries to further ensure that the Dolphins’ high flying offense can maintain its explosiveness. The star left tackle is taking all the right steps to ensure that is the case.
“The only thing I can do is control with all the things that I mentioned, and nutrition, mobility, flexibility, strengthening, so you know, everything science tells you and put my best foot forward,” Armstead said. “But I go out there and play with physicality and violence and we’re gonna let it roll like that.”
Despite the uncertainty, Armstead remains optimistic that 2024 will be his best season yet.
“I am looking forward to having an All-Pro year,” Armstead said. “Locked in, throwing people out of the stadium, going crazy.”
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