Terron Armstead has the best contract on NOLA Saints’ roster
When NFL teams can find a top-tier left tackle, they set themselves up for long-term success. That’s exactly the situation the NOLA Saints found themselves in when they signed Terron Armstead to a five-year deal worth $65 million back in 2017.
Since that time, Armstead has made three consecutive Pro Bowls (2018-2020) and is one of the best left tackles in the league. He’s entering the final year of that deal but Brad Spielberger of Pro Football Focus still considered it to be the best contract that the Saints currently have on the books.
Spielberger wrote:
"Since Armstead signed his original extension in 2016, all he’s done is earn PFF’s third-best grade among left tackles with a 91.5 mark and a 91.7 pass-blocking grade that ranks fourth. He has a case for being one of the more underrated players of the last half-decade, as he’s protected Drew Brees’ blindside for the back nine of his career that saw him stand comfortably in the pocket, sometimes seemingly forever, before finding the open receiver.Armstead’s 3.6% pressure percentage allowed since 2016 also ranks second among left tackles over the span. Whatever metric you want to look up, you’ll find Armstead’s name near the top."
Terron Armstead’s contract was a good one for the NOLA Saints.
As Spielberger noted, Armstead has been one of the best in the league at his position since inking that five-year deal and he’s setting himself up for another big contract with a good performance in 2021.
Armstead is entering the final year of his five-year deal and while it’d be great if the Saints could keep him, the fact that Ryan Ramczyk is also going to be a free agent after this year will make it difficult. The Saints could have entirely different starting tackles this time next year if they can’t get extensions done with either guy.
Between the two, Ramczyk would be the easier one to retain, as right tackles come cheaper than left tackles do. Ramczyk is also younger, which could make that deal an easier one to strike.
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While Saints fans would love to see Armstead stay with the team who drafted him, he could be too rich for their blood when next offseason rolls around. For now, though, it’s not hard to see why his current deal is the best one they have on the books.