INDIANAPOLIS — There are a bunch of big-time questions involving the Miami Dolphins‘ offensive line that general manager Chris Grier simply doesn’t have answers to, with NFL free agency set to begin in two weeks.
Which is why Grier acknowledged during his sitdown with South Florida media Wednesday that he might have to find as many as four starters in free agency and the draft, particularly if Terron Armstead decides to retire.
Miami Dolphins Have Big Questions on Offensive Line
“At the end of the day, I thought Butch [Barry] and Mike [McDaniel] and Frank [Smith] did a great job developing those guys,” Grier said.
“Some of the younger guys that we have on the roster are guys we are excited for seeing them in another year here,” he added. “Those guys made a great leap this year, and they’re excited for some of the guys and what they can be in the future. But yeah, we’ll definitely end up having to add some players there at that position.”
By “those guys,” Grier likely meant Liam Eichenberg, Kion Smith, and Lester Cotton, who are all under contract in 2024. All three will have a chance to push for playing time next fall. But the Dolphins will be a diminished team if those players are their No. 3, 4, and 5 offensive linemen as opposed to their No. 6, 7, and 8.
The biggest concerns involve the three interior spots, with Robert Hunt, Connor Williams, and Isaiah Wynn all set to become free agents.
Hunt will probably be too costly to keep, while Williams and Wynn are both rehabbing major injuries.
Grier said Wednesday that bringing all three back “is a definite possibility.”
“We had some discussions with Robert’s representation in the middle of the season and completely respected his willingness to go to free agency,” Grier continued. “And again, I say that term, but he had earned the right, and I love Robert. He’s a good kid. He works hard, and he wants to be good.
“I would say Isaiah’s been in everyday rehabbing at the facility. He said he loved it here, so we’ll see if we can get something done there. Then the same with Connor. He’s just going through his rehab right now. He’s a free agent, and we’ll see where that goes.
“We’re giving him the space and time. He just wanted to focus on rehabbing right now. But we’ll stay in touch with all those guys and see where it leads.”
Grier added that Williams is “very competitive, and he loves ball. He just wanted time to rehab and focus and get his mind clear, and we’re giving him that space. We just told him there’s no pressure on him. He’ll communicate, and him and his agent will communicate with us when it’s appropriate.”
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As for Armstead, who recently posted training videos on social media with the caption “Ya boy getting Lean,” Grier said the following:
“Terron and I had a long conversation before he left for the Pro Bowl. He said he wanted to be very fair to us. I completely respect it because I think he’s earned that right. We just said we’re going to talk before the start of the league year, and free agency happened, and he was going to let us know with plenty of time where it is, so it doesn’t affect us.
“We’re preparing either way. You have to. I love Terron and would love to have him back. But listen, he’s done so much in this league, and what he battled through last year to play for us, I really respect him and am really appreciative of him saying that he was going to let us know well before free agency started so we can plan.”
Elsewhere, Terron Armstead (via Instagram Stories) https://t.co/ElUE0ZKp0p pic.twitter.com/LQAPmmYuAR
— Daniel Oyefusi (@DanielOyefusi) February 27, 2024
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