The San Francisco 49ers released Arik Armstead before free agency, and now he’s joining the Jacksonville Jaguars. Armstead spent 9 seasons with the 49ers, and now he’s going to play for the Jaguars.
NFL Network insider Ian Rapoport first reported his signing on March 14.
“A dark horse emerges: The #Jaguars are closing in on a deal to add a huge presence to their defense, as they are set to sign former #49ers DT Arik Armstead, sources say,” Rapoport wrote on X.
Armstead had a slow start in the NFL, but became an important part of the 49ers franchise over the past 5 years. However, the 49ers needed cap space and had made additions to the defensive line like Javon Hargrave, so they had to release Armstead for financial reasons.
NBC Sports’ Matt Maiocco reported that San Francisco tried to keep Armstead on a pay cut. But the 30-year-old and the 49ers could not agree to terms, and now they’re getting ready for life after Armstead.
AFC South Race for Arik Armstead
Armstead was sought after by many teams in the AFC South including the Bills, Titans, and Texans. Dianna Russini, the Buffalo Bills, Tennessee Titans and Houston Texans were all interested in signing him.
“Arik Armstead was in discussions with several teams including the Bills and Titans. In fact the 49ers and Texans had a player-for-player deal in place — Armstead for Collins — but it fell apart after the Texans agreed to terms with edge rusher Danielle Hunter, sources tell me and @mattbarrows,” Russini wrote on X on March 14.
In retrospect, 49ers fans probably wish that the Armstead/Maliek Collins trade had gone through. It wouldn’t have saved the 49ers more than a seventh-round pick, but value is value.
Jaguars are lucky to have signed Armstead. Instead of supporting him, the Texans will have to face him twice a season going forward.
49ers DT Leaving After 9 Seasons
In 2015, the 49ers drafted Armstead as the 17th overall pick. There were high expectations for him, but he struggled with injuries and missed several games in 2016 and 2017.
He returned full-time to the field in 2018, and had a standout season in 2019 with 10 sacks. This led to the 49ers giving him a five-year,
$85 million deal. Over the next two seasons, Armstead played well with 9.5 sacks, 3 passes defended and 13 tackles for loss..
Despite injuries in 2022 and 2023, his 2023 season showed promise. In 12 regular season games, He had 5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. He also performed well in the 2024 Super Bowl, making 6 tackles and earning 1 sack. The San Francisco 49ers caused a lot of attention when they let go of Arik Armstead before free agency started, and now he’s going to play for the Jacksonville Jaguars. Over the next two seasons, Armstead would total rack up 9.5 total sacks, 3 passes defended and 13 total tackles for loss.
While injuries did play a factor in 2022 and 2023, his 2023 season was encouraging. In 12 regular season appearances, he totaled 5 sacks and 4 tackles for loss. In the 2024 Super Bowl, he made 6 tackles and earned 1 sack.
