The Miami Dolphins are part of the handful of NFL teams that are in major need of salary cap help. Per Over The Cap, they currently have just a little more than $722k in cap room. As it stands, they wouldn’t even have enough money to sign their upcoming draft class.

But, help is on the way in the form of a massive pay cut: Per NFL Network’s Ian Rapoport, five-time Pro Bowl left tackle Terron Armstead has agreed to drop his salary down to the vet minimum over the next two years. He was initially set to make $28.6 million through base salaries and roster bonuses, but is now set to make just $2.555 million from 2025-2026. In all, it saves the Dolphins $26.045 million during the span.

It’s a helluva sacrifice and the ultimate team-first move, but there’s a catch to it all and it’s pretty easy to see.

And it’s the fact this move all but guarantees Armstead’s playing days are over. At this point, it’d be a shock if he didn’t retire. In terms of cap space, the Dolphins would open up $4,267,250 in room, per Over The Cap.

To add to the point: Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel told reporters Tuesday the team is moving forward with the expectation that Armstead won’t be around in 2025.

Armstead made the Pro Bowl in his first two years with the Dolphins, but has yet to play a full season since joining Miami in 2022. Nagging injuries have been something he’s dealt with his entire career, as he’s never played a full season in all 12 years. He still managed to make himself one of the NFL’s better left tackles over the course of 135 games, though, which is impressive in his own right.

While the move helps the Dolphins in terms of salary cap relief, it also just adds another layer to their current offensive line situation, which isn’t good. Sure, Armstead may have missed 13 games over the last three years, but losing him entirely would be another obstacle Mike McDaniel and co. have to overcome when it comes to fixing the front five.