Want to know how certain the Miami Dolphins were that they wouldn’t be trading tackle Terron Armstead before Tuesday’s deadline?
Three hours before the window for trades closed, the organization made him available to reporters via a Zoom news conference.
The message they sent: We’re rolling with the guys we have, no matter where they are in their careers.
Miami Dolphins Keep Terron Armstead Through Trade Deadline
Armstead contemplated retirement this offseason, but he not only agreed to return for a 12th NFL season, he did so at a discount.
So given his compensation structure (he’s got just $600,000 left in guarantees on his existing contract), his high level of play, and the team’s 2-6 record, Armstead sat atop the list of Dolphins who made the most sense to trade.
He wanted nothing to do with that scenario.
“I’m here,” Armstead said Tuesday. “I’m here. We’re locked into trying to win this game [against the Los Angeles Rams] Monday night. That’s it. I haven’t thought about anything else.”
Armstead’s attitude suggests two things:
- He really enjoys playing for Mike McDaniel and the Dolphins.
- He thinks the Dolphins can still make some noise this year, even though they’re currently buried in the AFC standings.
Asked what gives him confidence that the Dolphins can make a second-half surge, Armstead replied:
“No reason not to be,” he said. “We feel like we can beat anybody. You know what I mean?
“We haven’t had those results, but the way that I am and the way that we are as a team, we’re going all in, so we gonna put in all the time, effort, energy and preparation to win this next game. That’s the only way to get it done.
“You’re not gonna just fall into a win. So we go out there and try to get one, do everything we can to get this one, and then we can start worrying about the next. Full belief. There’s nothing else.”
This rep by Terron Armstead kinda got lost in the shuttle of Durham Smythe blowing up the POA, but man, look at the POA displacement by the big guy. Terron is moving better right now than he has in any stage of his Miami tenure. Awesome rep for 72. pic.twitter.com/nRaHw2Qwft
— Kyle Crabbs (@GrindingTheTape) November 4, 2024
Armstead in particular, and the offensive line in general, have been bright spots in a largely bleak Dolphins season. Armstead ranks 20th among tackles in pass block win rate (91%). Center Aaron Brewer ranks 17th among interior linemen in the same stat (95%).
And with Tua Tagovailoa back under center, the Dolphins’ offense the last two weeks has looked like we expected it to all season. Yet it hasn’t mattered. The Dolphins are 0-2 since Tua has returned, losing on two last-second field goals.
How has that impacted the way McDaniel has communicated with his team?
“He’s been him. He’s been the same. He’s been unwavering. He’s been confident. He’s showing the reasons for the result so we can make the corrections and secure the win.
“From the top, the belief in the building, the buy-in and all that, is from the top down for sure. Like Mike hasn’t wavered at all. He’s not talking about anything else but getting this next win.”