The Dolphins will indeed be without Terron Armstead for 2025 and beyond. The veteran left tackle is retiring, as first reported by NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport. 
Armstead’s playing future has been in question this offseason, with many indications pointing to him hanging up his cleats. Miami entered free agency with the presumption that would be the case, and today’s update confirms the team will need to make other plans on the blindside. Armstead’s NFL career will end after 12 seasons.
The most recent comments on the subject from Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel noted the Dolphins were unaware of Armstead’s intentions. This development will not come as a surprise, though, and with plenty of time remaining before the draft Miami will be able to look even more closely into left tackle prospects. Whichever option – in-house or otherwise – takes on a starting gig, replacing Armstead will prove to be a challenge.
The 33-year-old managed to play 15 games in 2024, but as usual he dealt with a number of ailments along the way. Injuries were a constant issue for Armstead, whose three-year Dolphins tenure was preceded by a strong run with the Saints. When at (or even near) full strength, he was among the top left tackles in the league, as illustrated by his five Pro Bowl nods. Rather than trying to manage nagging ailments once again in 2025, though, Armstead will turn his attention to his post-playing days.
One non-void year remains on the former third-rounder’s contract, one which included a pay cut last offseason. Armstead was reported in February to be prepared to once again reduce his base pay, a helpful move given the Dolphins’ cap constraints. None of his base salary (set to check in at the veteran minimum) was locked in as of the 2024 restructure.
In spite of that, Armstead’s pro career proved to be quite lucrative. Starting all but four games (during his rookie year) across his Saints tenure, the Arkansas Pine-Bluff product secured $13MM per season on a five-year New Orleans extension in 2016. While playing out that deal, Armstead remained a consistent performer in terms of PFF evaluation, earning a stellar 90.4 grade in 2018. At no point was he able to log a full season, however, something which informed his free agent departure.
Miami added Armstead on a five-year, $75MM pact in 2022. Expectations were high as a result, and he delivered strong performances when on the field; this past campaign, Armstead registered the fourth-highest PFF grade amongst offensive tackles. Miami will be hard-pressed to enjoy that level of play with a replacement (likely Patrick Paul) next year, but a run of durability will nevertheless be welcomed.
Selected in the second round of last year’s draft, Paul made three starts and logged a 30% snap share. The Houston product could be in line for a much heavier workload in 2025, although Miami could look to this month’s draft to add a starting-caliber option early on. By this point in free agency, few veterans capable of stepping into a first-team role remain on the market.
Overall, Armstead will hang up his cleats after playing 146 combined regular and postseason games. He accumulated roughly $115MM in career earnings.