MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. — An offseason of change on the Miami Dolphins offensive line was probably inevitable, even if Terron Armstead is sure he wants to play in 2024.
But with Armstead’s revelation Monday that he’s considering retirement after another injury-plagued season, the Dolphins could have to replace four of their five starters entering 2023 training camp.
Armstead held court with reporters here during locker room cleanout day Monday and was honest about the ambiguity about his future.
Could Miami Dolphins Tackle Terron Armstead Retire?
Armstead played in just 10 of 17 regular-season games in 2023 and has missed 11 games in total due to injury since signing with the Dolphins before the 2022 season.
What’s more, the five-time Pro Bowler turns 33 in July.
Which is why it would be a surprise if he wasn’t considering life after football.
“I won’t lie, I never make any [big] decisions right after the season,” Armstead said. “I always take my time to process, talk to God, you know, let him order my steps, talk to my kids. That’s been my approach the last like three offseasons. So, it’ll be the same approach.”
Armstead said he still loves the game and wants to chase a ring with the Dolphins. But he also added that he doesn’t want to be a player who gets exposed on the field after hanging on longer than he should.
“I got a ways to go, man,” Armstead added. “I dealt with a lot this year, probably one of the most challenging years that I had.
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“But I think I found my stride and found my formula late in the season. I think the last six weeks, I was able to move better, play the way that I was accustomed to playing, and, you know, really started to catch my stride, get in midseason stride towards the end of the season.”
If Armstead does not return, the Dolphins will have two tackles under contract: Austin Jackson and Kion Smith. Liam Eichenberg and Lester Cotton are the only guards currently on the 2024 roster.
The two biggest free agency questions: What to do with Connor Williams and Robert Hunt?
Both are unrestricted free agents.
“It [would] be an honor to come back and do it again with this group, man,” Hunt said. “It was a great group, and, you know, my standpoint is I definitely want to be here. I’m sure Connor wants to be here.”
Has there been any suggestion from the organization that something can get done?
“You know, nothing, nothing, you know, nothing,” Hunt said. “We’ll take it one day at a time. We’ll see where it goes later in the thing. I have no idea how it works. … We’ll see where it goes.”
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