After restructuring his contract in March, the writing appeared on the wall for Miami Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead and his future in the National Football League. The 12-year NFL veteran had an important decision to make regarding whether or not to return to play for a 13th season in 2025 with the Dolphins. Mike McDaniel was uncertain, but seemed to lean towards Armstead retiring. Even Armstead didn’t sound the most optimistic, and yet no one truly knew what he would do.
Until now.
According to a report from NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport (which was later confirmed by several national insiders), Dolphins left tackle Terron Armstead is retiring after 12 impressive NFL seasons, which included five Pro Bowls and a second-team All-Pro in 2018.
Dolphins five-time Pro Bowl LT Terron Armstead is retiring, officially ending a star-studded 12-year career.
Armstead was one of the best left tackles of his generation beginning with his stint with the Saints. Now, he heads into his second career ️.
— Ian Rapoport (@rapsheet.bsky.social) 2025-04-06T00:52:49.679Z
Drafted in the third round of the 2013 NFL Draft (75th overall), Armstead would play nine seasons with the New Orleans Saints before signing with the Dolphins as a free agent in March of 2022. Initially, Armstead would sign a 5-year-deal worth $ 75 million with the team. The two sides would restructure that deal in 2024 and again this offseason as Armstead contemplated his future. He’s now made a decision that will undoubtedly shake up Mike McDaniels’ offense this upcoming season.
The 33-year-old left tackle was still playing at a very high level when healthy. However, the keywords are “when healthy”. In his three seasons in South Florida, he appeared in 38 games with the Dolphins. We’ve all heard the saying “the best ability is availability,” right? Unfortunately for Armstead, the older he got, the more unavailable he became (that’s not to say he wasn’t a warrior because he absolutely was). He will now ride off into the sunset to spend time with his family and prepare for the next journey, which, if Rapoport’s skeet was any indication, could be as a broadcaster or analyst.
For Miami, we’ll now officially see the passing of the torch between Armstead and Patrick Paul. The 23-year-old, second-round draft pick started three games for the Dolphins as a rookie in 2024. According to Pro Football Focus, Paul played 248 snaps at left tackle and 83 at right tackle. He was penalized five times and allowed 15 pressures and three sacks. And yet, based on everything I saw, the moment never appeared too big, outside his time at right tackle. He looked good. Sure, there will be a dropoff because he’s not Armstead, but there’s much to love about Paul. That said, there are still other ways the teams can fortify the offensive line and protect themselves from inevitable injuries.
For example, Miami could select an offensive lineman with the 13th overall pick in this year’s draft. After all, some of the top offensive linemen are tackles with the ability to kick inside and play guard. The rookie could slide inside and play guard, and then, if — and I do mean if — there are any doubts with Paul, you can decide whether you want to move the newcomer back to their original position.
Who knows, but what I do know is that a 33-year-old #elite left tackle is no longer on the roster. And in his place now is a young, up-and-comer with all the potential in the world. Can Patrick Paul seize the moment? I hope so because he has MASSIVE shoes to fill.
OH, and one more thing::::
“Thank you, Terron Armstead!”
What are your thoughts on Terron Armstead retiring after 12 seasons? Are you ready to see what Patrick Paul is capable of? How do you think this affects Mike McDaniel’s offense this season? Are you surprised? Let us know in the comments section below!
