Before the offseason, it wasn't clear if Terron Armstead of the Miami Dolphins left tackle would keep playing in the NFL or not. Instead of retiring, Armstead opted for an “adjusted contract” to stay in Miami on March 10. The details of the contract were revealed on March 17. Spotrac’s Michael Ginnitti reported that Armstead signed a 3 year, $38.63 million restructured contract with the Dolphins, lowering his 2024 cap hit by $10.3 million. He also secured $10.1 million fully guaranteed, all in 2024..
Miami could release Armstead as a post-June 1 cut in 2025, saving $14.3 million according according to Over the Cap. It seems the Dolphins have secured their veteran left tackle for another two seasons, at least. It's possible that Armstead may reconsider retirement if he gets injured again, or if his performance is poor. But most likely, he has committed to stay with the Dolphins for the rest of the Jalen Ramsey championship window. This is a big relief for the Dolphins community.
The specifics of Terron Armstead’s new contract with the Dolphins show that his cap hit will be higher in 2025 and 2026, with no action taken at a later date. His 2024 base salary is much lower after the adjustment. Armstead’s new $1.21 million base salary this year becomes $13.3 million and $12.33 million the following two seasons. The final two years of his deal remain unchanged from Armstead’s original five-year contract. He accepted a $4.25 million pay cut and received $10 million in guaranteed salary.
The new contract includes a $7.29 million signing bonus and reduced his 2024 cap charge by $10.29 million. This deal keeps Armstead on the team through his age-35 campaign. The Dolphins lost several free agents during the NFL frenzy of mid-March, but there is a positive side to their departures. As it stands now, the Dolphins would gain three 2025 comp picks according to the formula shared via Over the Cap.
Free agent departures and additions like Andrew Van Ginkel, Kendall Fuller, Raekwon Davis, Aaron Brewer, Brandon Jones, and Jordyn Brooks cancel each other out. Miami still has three losses that qualify for compensation. Tyreek Hill/Former star D-tackle Christian Wilkins, former starting guard, and former starting safety DeShon Elliott are among those players. The Dolphins are expected to be rewarded two third-round comps for Wilkins and Hunt, which is the highest form of compensation for free agent departures. Over the Cap has predicted only five third-round compensatory picks up to now this offseason, and the Fins were awarded two of them.
It’s improbable that Miami signs or hires any additional players or personnel that would negate Wilkins or Hunt, indicating the Dolphins should at least gain two extra third round picks in 2025.
New information about a crucial Dolphins contract deal hints at a comeback lasting two or three years for a key veteran.
Looking closer at Armstead’s new contract, it does come with a higher cap hit in 2025 and 2026, assuming no action is taken at a later date.
Over the Cap lists a cap hit of $10.554 million in 2024. That number then rises to a little over $22.1 million the next two seasons.
This cap jump is due to a much lower 2024 base salary after the adjustment. Armstead’s new $1.21 million base salary this year becomes $13.3 million and $12.33 million the following two seasons.
According to Over the Cap, these final two years of his deal “remain unchanged” from Armstead’s original five-year contract.
“Armstead renegotiated his contract in 2024 accepting a $4.25 million pay cut and receiving $10 million in guaranteed salary,” the salary cap experts explained. “The new contract includes a $7.29 million signing bonus and reduced his 2024 cap charge by $10.29 million.”
This renegotiated deal keeps the veteran blocker on the books through his age-35 campaign.
Dolphins Likely to Land Multiple Comp Picks in 2025
The Dolphins lost several free agents last week during the NFL frenzy of mid-March, but there is one positive that comes with departures.
Sun Sentinel reporter David Furones shared an updated look at Miami’s “projected 2025 compensatory draft pick equation” on March 17 — which he relayed via Over the Cap. As of now, the Dolphins would gain three 2025 comp picks according to this formula.
As the post displays, free agent departures and additions like Andrew Van Ginkel, Kendall Fuller, Raekwon Davis, Aaron Brewer, Brandon Jones and Jordyn Brooks all cancel each other out. Beyond that, Miami still has three losses that qualify for compensation.
Those players are former star D-tackle Christian Wilkins, former starting guard Robert Hunt and former starting safety DeShon Elliott.
The latter is only worth a seventh-round comp pick, but Wilkins and Hunt are the most important players in this discussion. Because the Dolphins developed both talents from draft prospects to massive NFL paydays, they are expected to be rewarded two third-round comps — which is the highest form of compensation for free agent departures.
Over the Cap has only projected five third-round comp picks so far this offseason, and the Fins were given two of them.
It’s unlikely that Miami signs or hires any more players or personnel that would cancel out Wilkins or Hunt, meaning the Dolphins should at least net two extra third rounders in 2025.
