Breaking; Just in, Dolphins Look to Emerging Voices After Five- star Veteran Depart
In a matter of days, the Miami Dolphins lost nearly three decades of NFL experience with the departures of veteran defensive lineman Calais Campbell and left tackle Terron Armstead. Campbell signed a one-year contract with the Arizona Cardinals, while Armstead retired, leaving the Dolphins without two of their 2024 team captains and their most experienced player.
Both were major leadership figures in the locker room last season. Their absence leaves a significant gap, one the Dolphins must now work to fill.
“It’s a collective effort,” Armstead said during his retirement celebration. “Calais and I brought a lot of experience—on and off the field. The knowledge is there now. The standard is set. The offensive line knows what it takes.”
Stepping into Armstead’s on-field role at left tackle will likely be Patrick Paul, a 2024 second-round draft pick who appeared in three games as a rookie. Paul had expressed confidence in taking on the starting job earlier this year, and Armstead backed him as a worthy successor.
“It’s his moment. Pat Paul will give it everything he has,” Armstead said.
From a leadership standpoint, the Dolphins are looking to Austin Jackson to take charge. Jackson, a former first-round pick, signed a three-year extension in 2023 but missed nine games last season due to a knee injury. As the longest-tenured offensive lineman on the team, Jackson is expected to lead a mostly new-look line, which could feature new starters at left tackle, left guard, and right guard.
On defense, Zach Sieler is the clear candidate to step into a broader leadership role. A captain last year, Sieler has notched double-digit sacks in back-to-back seasons and is a steady presence up front. However, depth behind him is limited. The team brought back Benito Jones and still has Matt Dickerson and Neil Farrell, but that group remains thin. Miami is expected to bolster the defensive line during the upcoming draft, where they hold 10 picks.
This leadership transition also comes as the Dolphins acknowledge a need for more accountability. Several players were fined repeatedly last season for tardiness, prompting head coach Mike McDaniel to consider stricter discipline. With two veteran leaders gone, the team’s ability to instill a new culture of responsibility will be tested.
