Former offensive lineman Terron Armstead strongly believes the 2023 Miami Dolphins would have been a legitimate Super Bowl contender if their roster had remained healthy throughout the season. Despite finishing with an 11-6 record and securing a wild card spot in the AFC, injuries derailed Miami’s playoff aspirations, culminating in a first-round loss to the eventual champions, the Kansas City Chiefs.
Impact of Injuries on Miami’s Playoff Run
Armstead highlighted the severity of the injuries that plagued the Dolphins during the 2023 campaign. Unlike minor setbacks, the team suffered multiple season-ending injuries to key players, which severely weakened their lineup. Miami was missing five defensive starters by the time they faced Kansas City, a gap that contributed heavily to their playoff defeat.
“That 2023 Miami Dolphins team was a Super Bowl team,” he said. “Healthy, Super Bowl team. And not even perfect health. Not all 22 starters, no, but just not in the way that it happened for us. It was catastrophic injuries, bro. Torn this, torn that, done for the year. It wasn’t no rolled ankle, he’ll be back in two weeks. These were season-ending injuries. But just construction of the roster, everything that we had, the momentum that we had, confidence we was playing with, that’s a Super Bowl team.” – Terron Armstead, Former Offensive Lineman
Despite these setbacks, Armstead praised the Dolphins’ overall roster makeup, momentum, and confidence on the field, underscoring that these elements combined to form a team capable of competing for the NFL’s ultimate prize.
“And it sucks that we just – that’s all we got from it is to be able to just say that, and we ain’t get a chance to go out and do it and prove it. But that’s the funny thing about sports, man. And all we got from it is the memories we do have, the success we do have and the failures we had too. We gotta appreciate all of it. But I think that was a Super Bowl team.” – Terron Armstead, Former Offensive Lineman
The 2023 Season’s Crucial Moments and Aftermath
The Dolphins were on the brink of clinching the AFC East title entering the final week of the regular season but were edged out by the Buffalo Bills. This loss cost Miami the division’s top seed and forced them to travel to Kansas City for their playoff opener. The Chiefs dominated that matchup and went on to capture the Super Bowl, underscoring the challenge Miami faced without a full-strength lineup.
Following the 2023 playoff loss, Miami’s performance declined as the team finished below .500 in the subsequent two seasons. This stretch of underachievement prompted significant organizational changes during the offseason, including the replacement of both the head coach and general manager. The Dolphins also made notable roster adjustments, parting ways with high-profile players such as Tyreek Hill and Bradley Chubb to reshape the team’s future.
Looking Ahead: Miami’s Quest to End a Playoff Drought
While Terron Armstead remains confident in the unrealized potential of the 2023 Dolphins, injuries prevented fans from witnessing the squad at full strength. Miami now faces the critical task of rebuilding and returning to playoff contention with hopes of winning their first postseason game since 2000. The combination of roster overhaul and leadership changes signals the franchise’s determination to close the gap in the AFC East and contend once again.
