Retired Pro Bowler Reflects on Toughest Opponents
After spending 12 seasons anchoring offensive lines for the New Orleans Saints and Miami Dolphins, Terron Armstead has officially stepped away from the NFL. With his retirement now in the rearview, the five-time Pro Bowler is candid about which defenders he’s relieved he won’t have to face again.
During an appearance on SiriusXM NFL Radio, Armstead was asked to name the top three players he’s happy to avoid in retirement. His top pick came without hesitation.
Jared Verse Tops the List
“No. 1, he was a rookie from the Rams. That young boy Jared Verse? I’m cool. I’m good. I never gotta see that man again,” Armstead said. “I’m OK with never seeing that young man again in my life. Bull rush different. Dawg, it’s different. You know that it’s coming. You brace yourself. He’s different. Jared Verse is different.”
“He will be a Defensive Player of the Year one of these days. Mark my words.” Such high praise carries weight coming from a veteran of 131 career starts. Verse, who made a strong impression in his first NFL season, clearly left a mark.
Despite recording only 4.5 sacks in 2024, Verse ranked fourth in total pressures among all defensive players, a rare statistical outcome. His efforts earned him Defensive Rookie of the Year honors and plenty of league-wide respect. One of those sacks came at Armstead’s expense in Week 10, when the Rams took on the Dolphins.
According to Next Gen Stats, Verse and Armstead squared off on 10 snaps during that matchup. Armstead surrendered a sack and three total pressures, with an average time to pressure of 2.97 seconds.
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Armstead’s list didn’t stop with the standout rookie. He included two of the league’s most dominant edge rushers. “I’ve had enough battles with Myles Garrett, so he’s on the list too. I’m cool on that. We’ve danced enough. I’m good,” he said.
For his third selection, Armstead couldn’t pick just one. “And lastly, it’s between Trey Hendrickson and Maxx Crosby, so I have to split the three from both of those two crazy young men. I’m alright never seeing those guys again either.”
Praise for Hendrickson’s Value
When the topic shifted to Hendrickson’s ongoing contract situation, Armstead didn’t mince words about his importance to the Bengals. “I’m not going to talk bad about Cincinnati, but that’s a no-brainer,” he said.
“Trey, it’s a no-brainer. You need him on the team. He’s one of the best, if not the best, pass rushers in the game. He’s consistent, he’s relentless. You have to have him. The defense is completely different without him.”
