Terron Armstead won’t be around to protect quarterback Tua Tagovailoa‘s blind side for the Miami Dolphins in 2025. The five-time Pro Bowl left tackle retired last month after 12 seasons in the NFL.

But Armstead doesn’t expect his retirement to slow the former Alabama All-American’s progress toward becoming one of the top quarterbacks in the NFL in Tagovailoa’s sixth season.

“Tua’s going to ball, man,” Armstead said on Sunday before being enshrined in the Senior Bowl Hall of Fame during a ceremony at the Grand Hotel Golf Resort and Spa in Point Clear. “He’s going to ball. He’s continued to get better every year, and that’s from daily progression. Every day, he’s going out there, he’s just packing his process and trying to be the best quarterback that he can be. All we’ve seen thus far throughout his career is improvement, so I see the same thing.”

After leading the NFL in passing yards in a Pro Bowl performance in 2023, Tagovailoa missed six games in 2024 because of a concussion and a hip injury.

Even with his retirement, Armstead said the Dolphins have sought to improve Tagovailoa’s protection this offseason.

Miami signed 84-game starter James Daniels in free agency, re-signed guard Liam Eichenberg and drafted Arizona’s Jonah Savalinaea in the second round on April 25 to strengthen the interior of their offensive line around center Aaron Brewer.

The Dolphins used a second-round draft pick on Patrick Paul last year, and after three starts as a rookie, he’ll get first crack at filling Armstead’s spot. Right tackle Austin Jackson returns after missing half the 2024 season, and the Dolphins signed Larry Borom in free agency for depth at tackle.

“They’re adding more pieces to the offensive line to secure that upfront for him,” Armstead said, “and that’s the recipe for a good day. You give Tua some time, there’s nobody better at what he does. Accuracy, precision, anticipation, he’s elite.”

Earlier his career, Armstead played with another Alabama All-American who was a national player of the year award winner. Tagovailoa won the Maxwell Award and the Walter Camp Award with the Crimson Tide in the 2018 season. Running back Mark Ingram became Alabama’s first Heisman Trophy winner in 2009.

Armstead and Ingram played together for seven seasons with the New Orleans Saints. Ingram had two 1,000-yard rushing performances and two Pro Bowl seasons while running behind Armstead’s blocking.

Armstead said Ingram had the same personality as a Saints star that he exhibits today as an enthusiastic football analyst on FOX Sports.

“He’s always the same,” Armstead said. “Always the same guy, same energy. It’s infectious; it’s contagious. He’s the perfect teammate. He’s a great friend, a brother of mine. Mark is just energy, if I could describe him in one word. He’s energy, and it’s beautiful. He’s a great person.”

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Mark Inabinett is a sports reporter for Alabama Media Group. Follow him on X at @AMarkG1.