The Miami Dolphins 2024 season ended in a disappointing 8-9 year as the franchise missed the playoffs. Miami had made the playoffs the two prior years, and the goal was to make it back to the postseason and try to make a playoff run.
The season did not go as planned, and Dolphins offensive tackle Terron Armstead was interviewed by PFSN about what went right and what didn’t this past year. He also discusses his offensive line group, injuries, the coaching staff, and his NFL future.
Tua Tagovailoa’s Injury Hampered the Offense
Going from multiple winning seasons to a losing record and missing the playoffs was a big setback for Armstead and the Dolphins.
One issue that hurt this team was injuries. One specific injury was to starting quarterback Tua Tagovailoa, who suffered yet another unfortunate concussion that had him miss four games this year.
Not having Tagovailoa and rotating through multiple quarterbacks like Tyler “Snoop” Huntley, Tim Boyle, and Skylar Thompson limited the offense’s ability to put up points.
“It was frustrating. It was a frustrating year. Disappointment, honestly, if I can just sum it up. We lose our quarterback early, and it was just really hard to find points,” Armstead told PFSN.
“And we tried to ride the ship, and I’m super grateful for the team for that part. You know what I mean? We really stretched and clawed to get back and got ourselves a chance to make the playoffs. Unfortunately, we fell short, dealing with more injuries, which was a disappointment overall. And in order for us to move forward in the right direction, there’s gonna have to be some more retooling and refocusing and really locking in on the small things.”
— T. Stead 🎤🎧 (@T_Armstead72) January 28, 2025
The offense was not very effective overall. They were, at best, in the middle of the pack in nearly all offensive categories that mattered.
Miami finished 15th in Pro Football Networks’ OFF+ metrics.
Apart from a Week 17 win that looks like an outlier, the Dolphins were dreadful in the games that Tua didn’t start. Miami went 2-4 while averaging 13.3 points per game and -0.23 EPA per play — both figures would have ranked last over the whole season.
Better health in 2025 should produce more consistent results that land this unit in the top 10 again. However, Mike McDaniel’s squad’s ceiling is likely limited, given how inflexible they’ve been schematically throughout his three-year tenure.
Talent Is Not the Issue
Armstead knows that this team is talented, with solid wide receivers, running backs, and himself on the offensive line.
When healthy, everything is in place for the Dolphins to score points. When everything clicks, this Miami team can easily enter the end zone.
“When we have all those guys — [Tua Tagovailoa, Tyreek Hill, Jaylen Wright, De’Von Achane] — in the huddle, I think we’re pretty dangerous, consistently, you know what I mean?” he added.
“I think we are pretty dangerous. So having all those guys [and] seeing those faces that you just named gives you an unbelievable boost of confidence, and it can get done. Just having all those guys [available] and really locking in and getting stronger up front, too, it’ll be a great recipe. … The sky’s the limit.”
As for what Armstead thinks of his future time with the Dolphins, he is excited about what can be next with him and this team.
“Feel good, feel great, man. I’m just enjoying it right now, enjoying the time with my kids and all those great things,” he said to PFSN. “I’ll be talking to the Dolphins’ front office pretty soon to figure out the direction and path that we’re looking to go, but [I] feel great.”
Armstead feels that his offensive line group has the talent to succeed, but they need to add a few more pieces to motivate his teammates and give them extra push to improve.
“We have some pieces up front, for sure, and we definitely need to get some more in and create more of a competition, a more competitive vibe on a daily basis,” he added. “Not to say that anybody got content or comfortable at all, but you always gotta improve. That’s the name of the game.”
He knows that to improve, it is a good idea to follow the successful teams that are winning titles. Currently, that is the Kansas City Chiefs.
“That’s how Kansas City has been consistently one of the best, if not the best team. Over these years, they’ve always been looking to improve, so we’re doing the same thing. Do you know what I mean?”
“And anybody that we bring in, and they’re in your position, you shouldn’t see it as a slight or anything. You should see it as an opportunity to show improvement. And that’s all it is. It creates that environment for everyone to get better, and we put the best five on the field.”
Mike McDaniels Is the Coach to Lead Us
Dolphins head coach Mike McDaniel has done some creative things with his team, and that has led to some success here and there.
Armstead was previously coached by Sean Payton, and there is a difference in coaching styles. Payton was a no-nonsense coach, whereas McDaniels took more time to listen to players to determine what was working or not.
“It’s been great. It’s been great. It’s been a new dynamic for me from coming from Sean Payton for so long and how tough he was as far as more of a military-style disciplinarian at times,” Armstead added. “For Mike, [he takes] more of an engaging approach, more of an inviting approach, and we can still be successful.
“We’ve won a lot of games in Miami, outside of this year being a disappointment. But it can be done. Do you know what I mean? And I think Mike can be the guy to get it done.”