Neither Terron Armstead nor the Miami Dolphins have announced if the 33-year-old offensive tackle intends to play for the team in 2025 or not. But for Patrick Paul, that decision doesn’t change anything.
“I’m working toward being a starter, and that’s all I’m focused on, is being the best version of myself this year,” Paul told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel on Saturday.
Paul, 23, was a second round pick in the 2024 NFL draft, but started his rookie year as the Dolphins’ fourth option at offensive tackle behind Armstead, Austin Jackson, and Kendall Lamm. All three of those veterans dealt with injuries, though, so Paul was called upon to play significant snaps in seven games and start three.
Now he’s prepping for the real possibility that he’ll take over as a starter opposite Jackson. That starts with trimming down after Paul played the 2024 season at over 330 pounds.
I’ve been working on things that I saw weaknesses in during the draft process that was last year, and just fine-tuning myself,” Paul told the Sun-Sentinel. “Lost a lot of weight, double-digit pounds since the season’s been over. Been on a good diet, just learning from the older guys how to do the offseason properly, how to take care of your body. That’s what we’re doing.”
While Armstead has been a good player for the Dolphins in his time on the field, injuries have been a constant throughout his career. The veteran missed two games in 2024 and sat out for stretches in another five. If he returns to Miami in 2025, Armstead would be due to count $22.8 million against the team’s salary cap.
The Dolphins could get $15 million of that cap space back by cutting Armstead with a post-June 1 designation. Restructuring or extending his contract could also save a significant chunk.
One way or another, Miami will have a decision to make if Armstead doesn’t retire. How ready the Dolphins think Paul is for the starting role could play a significant factor in that choice.