The Miami Dolphins were planning all offseason for the potential scenario of not having left tackle Terron Armstead for the 2025 season. That has come to fruition, as Armstead officially announced his retirement.

Miami Dolphis LT Terron Armstead announces retirement

This wasn’t out of left field for Armstead, as he just finished his 12th season in the NFL. He was initially a third-round pick by the New Orleans Saints out of Arkansas Pine Bluff and became the starter at left tackle in his second season.

Armstead was one of the best left tackles in the National Football League when he was on the field including five Pro Bowl appearances, but that was the biggest issue. Armstead was constantly hurt. In his 12 seasons, Armstead never played in every game of a given season, which was a big factor in his decision to retire.

This was something we knew was coming, as Armstead agreed to drop his base salary from $13.3 million to the league minimum in both 2025 and 2026, essentially setting his contract up for retirement. This will allow the Dolphins to maneuver his dead salary cap over the next two years much easier, something that Drew Brees did for the Saints when he retired.

The Dolphins aren’t in a bad spot either, as they just drafted his replacement last year in the second round last year in Houston left tackle Patrick Paul. He’s a mammoth of a man with nearly 36″ arms and a load of potential. Will he be a capable starter in year two? Time will tell.

The NFL Draft will also be a deciding factor in that process. With the 13th overall pick, the Dolphins could choose to select LSU Tigers left tackle Will Campbell or Missouri Tigers right tackle Armand Membou to replace him. They have a multitude of options at their disposal.