Terron Armstead is walking away from the NFL with two years remaining on his contract.
The five-time Pro Bowl left tackle announced his retirement from the Dolphins on Saturday at a party in Miami.
Armstead, 33, earned $115.8 million over a 12-year career with the Saints and Dolphins, according to Spotrac.com. He left another $15.5 million in cash on the table by retiring now.
The decision comes after the best offensive tackles are off the board in free agency but a couple weeks before the draft. It shouldn’t be a surprise to the Dolphins, after Armstead flirted with retirement last offseason, too.
It is critical for all teams to have good offensive lines, but replacing Armstead is especially critical for the Dolphins. Quarterback Tua Tagovailoa’s long history of concussions has led to early retirement speculation in the past.
The Dolphins could give the vacant starting job to 2024 second-round pick Patrick Paul, who was mentored by Armstead. Because Tagovailoa is left-handed, the right tackle Austin Jackson protects his blind side.
Former Saints quarterback Drew Brees paid tribute to Armstead at his retirement party, as seen in video shared by New Orleans.Football’s Nick Underhill.
“Twelve amazing years in the NFL,” Brees said. “The mainstay wherever he went. I will never forget the day that he showed up in our locker room back in 2013. He didn’t start that year off as the starter, but it became evident very quickly that this guy was not only going to be a starting left tackle for us for a very long time, but he was going to be a leader in our locker room, he was going to be a leader in the huddle and he was going to be a leader throughout the league.
“He’s exemplified what it takes to be a champion in this league in the locker room and with his teams for a very long time.”
Armstead started 15 games last season, upping his career total to 131. But he was dogged by injuries and never played a full season.
“I’m the most injured guy in NFL history,” Armstead said, according to Underhill. “Pick a part. Operation game. But I fought through it. I’m a fighter.”
