Every offseason, Terron Armstead dedicates weeks, or even months, to contemplating whether he desires to continue his professional football career. Head coach Mike McDaniel has extended a consistent offer for the seasoned left tackle to return to the Miami Dolphins, with Armstead still under contract for two more years.

Based on his remarks on Thursday at Super Bowl row in New Orleans, it seems he’s inclined to accept this offer. “Feeling great, man,” Armstead shared with ProFootball Network, likely alluding to his physical condition. He faced challenges at the end of the 2024 season, particularly with a right knee issue that he mentioned to the Miami Herald was difficult to manage after Miami’s season-ending defeat to the New York Jets.

“I’m just savoring time with my kids and all those wonderful things. I’ll be in discussions with the Dolphins’ front office soon to chart out our direction, but [I] feel great.” Before Armstead, who turns 34 in July, can officially return for a fourth year in Miami, he will probably need to agree to a pay cut similar to the previous offseason. The Dolphins are about $12 million over the NFL’s projected salary cap and must achieve cap compliance by releasing and restructuring players by March 12.

Armstead’s cap figure for the 2025 season is just under $23 million. He is owed $13.3 million in base salary, a $1 million roster bonus, paying him just under $59,000 for each game played in 2025, and has $700,000 in performance-based bonuses. It stands to reason that the Dolphins will request the five-time Pro Bowler to restructure his deal again, lowering his salary to approximately $10 million or less, echoing what he earned this season after being persuaded by the team.

Another restructuring could potentially free up $9 million to $10 million in cap space. But what if Armstead refuses? That could mean he’s played his last game for the Dolphins, who would then be compelled to release him, generating a $15 million cap saving if he’s designated a June 1 release. If simply cut, it would result in $4.2 million savings. “I feel very fortunate to have signed him in 2022,” McDaniel said regarding the five-year, $87.5 million contract Miami secured Armstead with as a free agent from the New Orleans Saints that offseason.

“We wouldn’t be where we’re at [as a franchise] without him.” Despite his injury struggles and inability to practice for extended periods, Armstead has been a cornerstone of strength on an offensive line needing overhaul except for right tackle and center. “He’s a vital part of our team. Just in terms of our beginnings and mindset during challenging or positive times. He’s one of the individuals everyone looks up to,” McDaniel commented back in December.

“You’re always hopeful for [his return]. I’m not taking him for granted at any moment.” Miami invested a second-round pick in Patrick Paul, the former University of Houston standout, seeing potential in the 6-foot-7, 332-pounder as Armstead’s successor, and general manager Chris Grier stated, “we feel he’s going to be a good player” at the end-of-season media briefing.

However, whether Paul is ready to handle the starting left tackle role, facing the NFL’s top pass rushers weekly, is a different conversation. Paul logged 331 snaps last season, starting three games for the Dolphins. He allowed three sacks and committed five penalties last season. ProFootballFocus.com ranked him as the 77th offensive lineman out of 141 in 2024. “We need to invest in the offensive line,” Grier highlighted at his season-ending press conference.

“Kendall [Lamm] performed fantastically here for several years. We’ve aged there now, and [Isaiah] Wynn. So yes, it’s time once more like we did a few years back [when Miami selected] Austin [Jackson], Rob Hunt, and Solomon Kindley. It’s time to reinvest in some offensive linemen.” Veteran offensive linemen Liam Eichenberg, Robert Jones, Wynn, and Lamm are all free agents, and it remains uncertain which, if any, will return. Each struggled last season, and Miami’s offensive line significantly underperformed, especially after Jackson suffered a season-ending knee injury in mid-November.