Armstead’s reworked deal helps Dolphins’ cap situation
The Dolphins and left tackle Terron Armstead agreed to a reworked deal that will free about $10 million in cap space for Miami this offseason.
Armstead, who contemplated retirement, is set to return for his 12th NFL season and third with the Dolphins.
NFL Network reported that Armstead and Miami were adjusting his contract as part of his return.
The change was reflected on Over the Cap’s website Friday morning, showing that Armstead’s $20.8 million cap hit for the 2024 season has been reduced to $10.55 million.
According to the website, Armstead accepted a $4.25 million pay cut and received $10 million in guaranteed salary. The new contract includes a $7.29 million signing bonus that will be spread out throughout the deal. The final two seasons of Armstead’s deal in 2025 and 2026 are unchanged — there is no guaranteed salary after the 2024 season — but the cap hits in each season increased from $20.6 million to $22.1 million.
The Dolphins also added void years in 2027 and 2028 to further spread the bonus and give the team more cap flexibility. Void years do not extend the contract but create placeholder years for the prorated bonus.
Miami could release Armstead after the 2024 season with a post-June 1 designation and get about $14 million in cap space.
Armstead, who turns 33 in July, signed a five-year, $75 million contract in the 2022 offseason but has missed 11 games since joining the Dolphins.
He will return to an offensive line that may have a new center in Aaron Brewer, whom the Dolphins signed this week. Miami could also have new starters at both guard spots, as Robert Hunt departed to join the Carolina Panthers and Isaiah Wynn remains an unrestricted free agent.
DOLPHINS ADD ANOTHER DL
Continuing to load up on reasonably priced defensive linemen, the Dolphins struck a deal with Jonathan Harris, a part-time starter for Denver over the past two seasons, on Thursday.
The agreement, first reported by NFL Network’s Mike Garafolo, gives the Dolphins another option to handle some of the snaps that must be accounted for in the wake of Christian Wilkins’ departure to the Las Vegas Raiders.
Harris, who’s 6-5 and
295 pounds, joins former Dallas Cowboys backup Neville Gallimore as options to replace Wilkins. The Dolphins could acquire additional players at the position as the offseason continues.
On Thursday, Miami also agreed to terms with former Detroit Lions Benito Jones and reached an agreement to re-sign Da’Shawn Hand. Both could compete for snaps at nose tackle following Raekwon Davis’ departure to the Indianapolis Colts.
Harris appeared in 17 games and started five for Denver last season and had 43 tackles (including four for loss) and a sack, his only sack in 33 games over four NFL seasons.
He played 529 snaps last season — equal to 47 percent of the Broncos’ defensive snaps. Pro Football Focus ranked Harris’ performance 96th among 130 defensive tackles last season. Gallimore was rated 69th and Wilkins 29th.
Harris started four games and appeared in eight for Denver in 2022 and had 20 tackles.
He began his career with Chicago in 2019 as an undrafted free agent signing out of Lindenwood. He appeared in two games for the Bears before being released that season.
Denver claimed him off waivers on Oct. 23, 2019, and he went on to appear in 31 games and start nine for the Broncos.
The Broncos did not tender Harris as a restricted free agent, so he won’t impact the Dolphins’ desire to secure multiple compensatory picks in the 2025 draft.
WR WILSON SIGNS DEAL WITH SAINTS
The second player from the Dolphins’ 2023 offense has departed, with wide receiver Cedrick Wilson Jr. reaching an agreement with the New Orleans Saints on a two-year deal, ESPN reported Thursday night.
While Miami is set to receive multiple compensatory picks in 2025 for the loss of several free agents, Wilson won’t count toward that calculation. This is because the NFL doesn’t allow players whose contracts were voided to be considered in the compensatory pick formula.
Wilson, who originally signed a three-year, $22 million deal with the Dolphins in the 2022 offseason, reworked his deal last August and replaced the final year of the deal with a void year. This allowed Wilson to become a free agent after the 2023 season.
With the Dolphins’ trade for Tyreek Hill just days after signing Wilson and the emergence of Trent Sherfield, Wilson fell down the depth chart in the 2022 season. He caught 12 passes — his fewest since 2019 — but found a role as a punt returner.
Last April, Dolphins general manager Chris Grier acknowledged that teams called about trading for Wilson.
In 2023, Wilson ranked fourth on the team in receiving yards (296) and tied for third with three touchdown catches.
Wilson joins Hunt as Dolphins offensive players who have left in free agency. Miami needs to add wide receiver depth with River Cracraft, Braxton Berrios, Chase Claypool and Robbie Chosen all unrestricted free agents.
Aside from Hill and Jaylen Waddle, the only other wide receivers under contract for the 2024 season are Erik Ezukanma, Braylon Sanders, Anthony Schwartz and Matthew Sexton, who have a combined 17 career catches.