OT Terron Armstead hits 5-year deal with Miami Dolphins worth up to $87.5 million, sources say

MIAMI – Facts Miami Dolphins on Tuesday reached an agreement with the attack settlement Terron Armstead on a five-year deal worth up to $87.5 million, a source told ESPN’s Adam Schefter, locking down one of the top free agents of the 2022 cycle.

The deal includes $43.37 million in security, the source said.

Armstead confirms he will sign with Miami in one video posted on Instagram.

“It’s Terron Armstead, problem-solving left, entering my 10th year in the NFL – and I’m taking my talent to South Beach,” he said in the video as he donned the Dolphins hat. “What’s wrong with Miami, let’s get to work.”

Before New Orleans Saints ball is a three-time pro in nine NFL seasons and will provide a boost to one of last season’s worst pass-blocking teams.

The Dolphins had the NFL’s worst pass blocking win percentage last season, winning just 46.6% of their games, according to NFL Next Generation Stats. For reference, Super Bowl champion Los Angeles Rams leads the NFL in that category with 68.4%. The Dolphins’ inability to maintain blocks affects the way quarterbacks Tagovailoa played, as his average throw time (2.52 seconds) was the fourth fastest in the tournament.

The Dolphins have publicly supported Tagovailoa throughout the season, and although much of the team’s success in 2022 will depend on his development, freshman coach Mike McDaniel has stressed that Tagovailoa needs help. help around him.

“I’ve never seen a midfielder win a football game on his own,” McDaniel said. “He has to have someone to throw.

Miami addressed its need for free agency players early, signing on to run again Chase Edmonds and Raheem Mostertand wide receiver Cedrick Wilson. It also uses the franchise tag to keep it tight Mike Gesicki and re-sign his backup, Durham Smythe.

But add Armstead and before Dallas Cowboys guard Connor Williams helps strengthen an offensive line where Miami has spent the top four draft picks since 2019. The addition of Williams and Armstead could mean the former first-round pick. Austin Jackson and Jesse Davis will not return as the team’s left and right bumper guards, respectively. Williams and Armstead could anchor the left side of the Miami line while it figures out what to do with the former picks in the second round Robert Hunt and Liam Eichenberg – both have flexible protection and handling capabilities. In the center, Michael Deiter starting eight games in an injury-short 2021 season.

Former Browns center JC Tretter is on hand and owns the NFL’s second-best pass block win percentage since 2019. Or the Dolphins could consider drafts to settle for placement if they believe they need it. must switch to the word Deiter.

Armstead, who just turned 31 in July, has been one of the NFL’s elite lefties since the Saints took him into the third round in 2013 at Arkansas-Pine Bluff and made him a starter. at the end of his rookie season.

He was named a second-team All-Pro in 2018 and was selected to three consecutive Pro Bowls from 2018 to 2020. Pro Football Focus ranked Armstead as the NFL’s top offensive league for the entire year. 2015 and 2018. A massive athlete for his size, the 6-foot-5, 304-pounder still holds the record for fastest 40-yard run by an offensive lineman at the NFL scouting complex. at 4.71 seconds.

However, Armstead’s career has also been hampered by injuries – including elbow and knee injuries that will see him play eight games in 2021. He had knee surgery after the season, call it that. success and say, “It’s time to do it!” on Instagram.

Armstead also missed a total of 21 games between 2016 and 2018 as he struggled with knee, hip, shoulder and chest injuries. But his health has improved as he has only missed a total of three games between 2019 and 2020.

Armstead signed a five-year, $65 million contract extension in 2016, making him one of the highest-paid lefties in the league at the time. He still has nearly $13 million left from that sale, which is expected to count toward New Orleans’ 2022 pay cap.

Armstead has been selected as the 2019 Saints’ Walter Payton Man of the Year nominee for his efforts both on the field and in the community.

ESPN’s Mike Triplett contributed to this report.