Nothing like waiting until the 11th hour to make a major life decision.
But credit Terron Armstead for this: he made the Miami Dolphins aware of his 2024 plans before the Dolphins had no choice but to consider a Plan B.
Miami Dolphins Get Clarity From Terron Armstead
Armstead is returning for a 12th NFL season, NFL Network first reported, signing up for a third go-round with the Dolphins instead of calling it a career.
Armstead had been seriously contemplating retirement, and as recently as two weeks ago, the Dolphins were in the dark about his plans. Dolphins GM Chris Grier told reporters at the NFL Scouting Combine that the team was giving him the time and space he deserves to figure things out.
Armstead’s return apparently comes with a stipulation: An adjusted contract.
He was set to make $13.3 million in base salary this year. It’s unclear at this time if he agreed to take a pay cut.
The Dolphins would be justified in asking his for one. Armstead has missed 11 games due to injury since signing a five-year, $75 million contract with Miami ahead of the 2022 season.
Armstead’s return fills a big hole on the Dolphins’ offensive line. Prior to his decision, the Dolphins had just one starting 2023 lineman guaranteed to play for the team in 2024: Right tackle Austin Jackson.
Miami still needs to find its starting center and two guards, as Connor Williams, Isaiah Wynn, and Robert Hunt are all free agents.
In an interview with Pro Football Network on Radio Row during Super Bowl week in Las Vegas, Armstead at the time said that he was “going to test my body after the Super Bowl and see” regarding his NFL future.
From my radio row sit down with @T_Armstead72
On coach McDaniel: “he’s a straight shooter and our energy”
On playing for McDaniel and Payton: “Two brilliant minds but two completely different approaches”
On what’s next “going to test my body after SB and see” pic.twitter.com/ubaIGjw4j5
— David Bearman (@DavidBearmanPFN) February 8, 2024
Armstead’s decision comes on the eve of the NFL’s legal tampering period.
Beginning Monday, the Dolphins and every other team can negotiate contracts with any free agent.
But there’s reason to believe they won’t be overly active — at least at the top of the market.
KEEP READING: 2024 NFL Top 100 Free Agent Rankings
Grier and his team have been working over the last few weeks to shed the tens of millions of dollars needed to get under the cap, set this year at just over $255 million.
Armstead’s decision to return probably won’t significantly impact the Dolphins’ draft plans. This is a deep offensive line class, and Miami is expected to consider taking one with its first or second-round picks.
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