Dolphins’ Mike McDaniel gives update on Terron Armstead’s retirement decision
Asked on Tuesday whether Terron Armstead has communicated his desire to hold off on retirement and play the 2024 NFL season, Dolphins coach McDaniel suggested the Pro Bowl left tackle is still considering his decision.
“I have let time allow for what is an important decision for him,” McDaniel said at the NFL Scouting Combine, “and let time from the season evolve so that he can give us a window into what he’s thinking. There’s a roller coaster of emotions when you’re talking about potentially leaving a game that you’re elite at and the pros and cons of that.”
He added: “He’s been an unbelievable leader and he’s really battled through a ton of different things for us. And right now, he’s determining something that him and his body are the only people that know. And we are very open for that. However, we also have to allow for that time and assess all options so that the Miami Dolphins have plans regardless of any sort of scenario, which is what we get paid to do. There’s not anybody that’s earned more liberty to take his time to figure out what’s the next step in his life and if it’s with this team or not. So, we’re allowing that with Terron and excited to hear some conclusions he’s drawn in the near future.”
On locker cleanout day in January, Armstead hinted that he could be considering retirement after another injury-hampered season. And at the Pro Bowl earlier this month, he said retirement is still a possibility but he won’t “prolong the process at all. I’m just taking time to get away from the game and let my body heal — and then.”
The Miami Herald previously reported that the expectation is that Armstead will return to play his 12th season.
Armstead, who turns 33 in July, just completed the second year of a five-year, $75 million contract he signed in the 2022 offseason. $5 million of Armstead’s $13.25 million 2024 base salary is already guaranteed and $8.25 million becomes guaranteed on March 16.
Armstead missed seven games because of injury in 2023 and has missed 11 games since joining Miami. He has never played the entirety of a season, which he said is a goal of his.
“I love the game. I love the game,” Armstead said on locker cleanout day. “As an artist once said, the moment you stop having fun with it, I’ll be done with it. I’m having a blast. I love what we’re building. I’m chasing a ring. That’s the only reason I’m playing football.”
