Saints free agent Terron Armstead is considered a boom-or-bust target
Unfortunately, there’s a good chance that the New Orleans Saints won’t be able to keep Terron Armstead this offseason. He’s a three-time Pro Bowler at a position where good players get paid handsomely.
Not only is the money an issue for New Orleans when it comes to trying to retain Armstead but his injury history is another reason they might be okay with letting him walk.
Gil Brandt of NFL.com put together a list of boom-or-bust free agents and Armstead topped the list. We’ll start with the ‘boom’ surrounding Armstead’s potential:
"Armstead’s surgically repaired knee holds up, along with the rest of his body, and he’s able to be a dominant force up front for the majority of his next contract. Over the past five seasons, Pro Football Focus grades Armstead as the fourth-best offensive tackle overall and the third-best in pass-blocking."
Here’s what Brandt said on why Armstead could “bust”:
"Injury problems (he also dealt with an elbow injury in 2021) continue to dog him as he ages into his mid-30s, preventing him from living up to his new deal. It’s probably reasonable to assume Armstead will miss some time each year, given that he has yet to play a full season in the NFL. But there’s a difference between losing him for one or two games per season and having to make up for his absence for several weeks."
None of this is news to Saints fans. Terron Armstead is one of the best left tackles in the league and if it weren’t for injuries, he’d be their biggest priority this offseason because teams don’t let franchise left tackles leave.
Unfortunately, injuries have been a consistent problem for Armstead. He hasn’t appeared in every single game in a season at any point during his nine-year career. That right there makes him someone New Orleans shouldn’t break the bank for.
Saints free agent Terron Armstead is a good player but has injury concerns
Spotrac projects Armstead to receive a four-year deal worth $95 million, which is insane. The deal would pay him an annual salary of $23.9 million and I shouldn’t have to be the one to tell you that the Saints can’t afford to give the former third-round pick that kind of money.
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Saints fans love Armstead but even though he’s someone who could end up being a goldmine signing for a team, there’s absolutely an equal chance that he ends up as a bust. New Orleans has to move on.