One of the best left tackles of the past decade is calling it a career.
Terron Armstead is retiring after 12 国产外流网seasons split between the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, 国产外流网Network Insider Ian Rapoport reported Saturday.
Armstead, a five-time Pro Bowler with one selection as a second-team All-Pro, made 131 starts over the course of his career.
He quickly rose from a 2013 third-round pick to Drew Brees' trusted blindside protector with the Saints, anchoring an offense that never fell out of the top 10 in scoring until his final year with the team, 2021.
"Twelve amazing years in the NFL," Brees said Saturday during a speech at Armstead's retirement party, via . "The mainstay wherever he went. I'll 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 gonna be a starting left tackle for us for a very long time, but he was gonna be a leader in our locker room, he was gonna be a leader in the huddle and he was gonna 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."
After nine seasons spent in New Orleans, Armstead migrated to Miami through free agency, where he added two straight Pro Bowls to his previous three as a Saint. His time with the Dolphins was again defined by explosive offense; Miami finished 11th and 2nd in scoring in Armstead's first two years there before injuries to Tua Tagovailoa and others helped derail the operation last season.
Injuries have plagued Armstead throughout his career, as well. Despite the accolades and well-earned reputation as a force on the O-line, the 33-year-old has never managed to play a full slate of games. He missed 13 with the Dolphins over the past three years due to a litany of ailments.
"I'm the most injured guy in 国产外流网history," Armstead said at the event, per . "Pick a part. Operation game. But I fought through it. I'm a fighter."
He took time to consider whether or not to keep pushing through for a 12th campaign last offseason before electing to put back on the jersey. Following another deliberation, he's now officially stepping away.
Armstead is firmly retiring at the top of his game. He finished 2024 as PFF's fourth-best overall offensive tackle (89.4 offensive grade), and he was one of four tackles graded in the top 10 as both a pass blocker (84.8) and run blocker (83.4).
His retirement leaves a considerable hole on Miam's left side as it looks to rebound from a down 8-9 year.
The Dolphins are not without options, however.
Patrick Paul, selected No. 55 overall in the 2024 draft, is Armstead's heir apparent, a massive 6-foot-7, 332-pound lineman who has voiced his readiness to start in the upcoming season. Miami re-signed Liam Eichenberg and inked James Daniels to a three-year free-agent deal, both guards who should fortify the team's interior to help the transition.
Miami is also set to pick at No. 13 overall in a draft considered deep in the trenches, one of the club's six top-150 picks.
Considering Tagovailoa's injury history, how well the Dolphins compensate for Armstead's departure may go a long way in determining whether they bounce back in 2025.
They'll move forward with all their focus on doing so, while Armstead walks away one of his era's finest offensive linemen.
