The Miami Dolphins have made a number of splash moves this offseason, including trading five draft picks for Kansas City Chiefs wide receiver Tyreek Hill.
However, arguably the most important transaction of the offseason has been the signing of former New Orleans Saints tackle Terron Armstead to a five-year deal worth $74.4 million with incentives that could bring it to $87.5 million. He’s expected to come in and be a cornerstone on the offensive line, as the Dolphins look to improve a group that was one of the worst in the league in 2021.
On the surface, a deal that has an average annual value of nearly $15 million may feel a bit daunting, however, this contract for the player could end up being a team-friendly one. That’s especially the case when looking at the AAVs at the position, and Armstead’s $14.88 million comes in at No. 14.
These are his cap hits throughout the deal, according to Over the Cap:
- 2022: $3.99 million
- 2023: $20.4 million
- 2024: $16.65 million
- 2025: $16.7 million
- 2026: $16.73 million
Obviously, the increase to $20.4 million in 2023 is a drastic one, but the NFL salary cap is projected to jump roughly $17 million in the next year, so that would cover the change.
Over the course of the contract, there’s a $12 million signing bonus (prorated to $2.4 million annually), $1 million annually in per-game roster bonuses and $18 million in guaranteed salary ($1.12 million in 2022 and $17 million in 2023). If Armstead is on the roster on the third of the 2024 league year, his $13.25 million salary becomes completely guaranteed.
According to Pro Football Network’s Aaron Wilson, the incentives in Armstead’s contract are for both playtime and Pro Bowl appearances, so he will be more than motivated to be on the field and play well, more than he already was.
