Bleacher Report's Jordan Schultz reports that the Jacksonville Jaguars are signing former San Francisco 49ers defensive tackle Arik Armstead to a three-year, $51 million deal. Jaguars general manager Trent Baalke served in the same role with the 49ers when the team drafted Armstead in 2015.
BREAKING: Free agent DL Arik Armstead is signing a 3-year, $51M contract with the #Jaguars, sources tell @BleacherReport.
Armstead now joins a stout Jacksonville pass rush next to Josh Allen and Travon Walker. "Sacksonville" 2.0?! pic.twitter.com/7HO3t0Ue3G
— Jordan Schultz (@Schultz_Report) March 14, 2024
NFL Media's Ian Rapoport was the first to report that the Jaguars were closing in on a deal with Armstead.
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. pic.twitter.com/YsnBllY6NJ
— Ian Rapoport (@RapSheet) March 14, 2024
The 49ers attempted to retain Armstead by negotiating a reduced salary for 2024. However, when the two sides couldn't reach an agreement, it became clear that the team would need to release the defensive tackle to create approximately $18 million in salary-cap savings. This move was officially made on March 13, at the start of the new league year.
"Arik has been an instrumental part of this organization on and off the field since he arrived in 2015," general manager John Lynch said via a statement. "He was a foundational piece of our defense and positively influenced our team through his professionalism and lead-by-example approach. In addition to his exceptional play on the field, Arik was steadfast in his dedication to serving the youth in the Bay Area and his hometown of Sacramento. He is a true difference-maker in our community and an inspiration to all those around him.
"Arik will always be a valued member of the 49ers family, and we thank him for exemplifying the standard of excellence for our organization over the past nine seasons. We wish Arik, his wife Mindy, and their children nothing but the best."
The Athletic reported that the 49ers and Houston Texans had a player-for-player trade in place this week. The deal would have sent Armstead to the Texans in exchange for defensive tackle Maliek Collins. However, the deal fell apart when the Texans agreed to terms with edge rusher Danielle Hunter. San Francisco still traded for Collins, but instead, they sent a seventh-round draft pick to Houston for the defender.
San Francisco drafted Armstead (6-7, 290) out of Oregon with the No. 17 overall pick in 2015. Last season, he registered 27 tackles, including four for a loss, 13 quarterback hits, and five sacks through 12 starts, per Pro Football Reference.
Armstead added 11 tackles, a tackle for loss, and two quarterback hits in his three playoff appearances. His lone postseason sack occurred against Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in Super Bowl 58.
It was later revealed that Armstead played through a torn meniscus in his right knee, an injury sustained during the regular-season game against the Philadelphia Eagles on December 3, 2023.
In his nine NFL seasons, Armstead has amassed 302 tackles, including 43 for a loss, 88 quarterback hits, 33.5 sacks, six passes defensed, and three forced fumbles in 116 game appearances, with 97 starts. Injuries have forced him to miss 13 games over the last two seasons.
